Today’s biggest AFL story: West Coast says it’s increasingly confident Harley Reid will stay long-term, even as reports claim St Kilda has tabled a record-shattering $25 million offer to lure the 20-year-old superstar east.

Where things stand

  • Reid is contracted at the Eagles through 2026, but negotiations for his next deal are already the league’s hottest topic.
  • Coach Andrew McQualter says Reid’s day-to-day behaviours convince him the star will remain in Perth beyond his current deal.
  • Reports of a Saints mega-bid (12 years, ~$25m) surfaced this week via media commentary; St Kilda’s coach Ross Lyon publicly pushed back on broader “player exodus” talk around the club.

What McQualter actually said

“Every day Harley turns up to work he’s incredibly invested in this team and this club… I’m really optimistic he’ll be here for a long time.”

Is the $25m number real?

The figure comes from high-profile media chatter and reporting rather than any on-the-record confirmation from clubs. Multiple outlets have discussed sums in the $20–25m range; ABC analysis recently noted Reid is trending toward ~$2m per season territory on his next contract, whatever the destination. Treat the exact $25m figure as a reported bid, not an official one.

Meanwhile: the Oscar Allen watch

Co-captain Oscar Allen (restricted free agent) remains in flux. Reporting in recent weeks has linked him most strongly to Brisbane, with Hawthorn also circling, while West Coast maintains hope of keeping him. Earlier in the year Allen was also sighted meeting Hawks coach Sam Mitchell.

Why this is the top story

  • Unprecedented money: If realised, the deal would reset AFL salary benchmarks and contract length norms.
  • List build pivot: Reid is a franchise-level engine; staying or moving reshapes West Coast’s rebuild timeline and draft/FA strategy.
  • Knock-on effects: Allen’s decision, plus Saints cap questions and denials, adds intrigue across multiple clubs.

What to watch next

  • Signals from Reid’s camp: any public posture change, social hints, or timing around extension frameworks.
  • West Coast’s list strategy: size/structure of a counter-offer and how it coexists with Allen’s free agency.
  • St Kilda’s stance: continued denials vs. pursuit of a marquee signing amid scrutiny of list spend.

Bottom line: as of today, the strongest on-record evidence points to West Coast’s confidence and Reid’s daily buy-in, while the headline-grabbing $25m number remains a media-reported figure. Until signatures hit paper, the league’s biggest contract story will keep driving the news cycle.

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Quick Facts

  • Player: Harley Reid (West Coast)
  • Contracted until: 2026 (current deal)
  • Reported rival bid: St Kilda ~$25m/12yrs (media reports)
  • Eagles stance: “Incredibly invested” & likely to stay (coach view)
  • Complication: Oscar Allen FA interest from Brisbane; Hawks also linked

Key Sources