Harley’s heroics inspire Eagles as Giants season starts to slip: 3-2-1

Harley Reid has inspired West Coast to a thrilling 17-point upset win over Greater Western Sydney on Sunday night.

Reid exploded with a 14-disposal and two-goal second term, and from there the Eagles refused to wilt as they ran out 13.10 (88) to 10.11 (71) winners at Optus Stadium.

Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy described it as arguably Reid’s “best-ever game” as West Coast kicked the final four goals of the match to seal their third win of the year.

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

“We haven’t had the best month of footy, but the way we responded in such a special round at home… couldn’t be more proud of the boys,” Eagles defender Reuben Ginbey told foxfooty.com.au

“They were dominating us in field position and stoppage… but I was happy with the way we held up behind the ball.

“They had a patch in the third – in the past we’d probably let that game slip.“Just super proud.”

And while the Eagles came away victors, GWS will be left to rue a horror start where they dominated the first term but could only manage 2.6 on the scoreboard at quarter time.

When the Eagles pressure ramped up late, the Giants lost their transition game and couldn’t find the response.

“Their season is in bad shape now,” Adam Papalia said, with Healy fearing top six was now out of reach for Adam Kingsley’s men.

THE 3-2-1 …

3. PRESSURE PROVES TOO GREAT FOR WASTEFUL GIANTS

GWS were completely dominant to start this contest on Sunday night – but could only bank 2.6 for their efforts.

That’s despite having double the inside 50s, nearly double the clearances, a 4-1 marks inside 50 count and +40 disposals.

“Game could just about have been over if they were more accurate,” Gerard Healy said at quarter time.

Statistics showed the Giants had 176m gained by handball compared to West Coast’s -41m. And their handball receives was more than triple that of the Eagles.

“They are playing two totally different games,” Healy said.

“One is safe, secure and totally slow (West Coast).”

“One is positive and one is negative,” Brad Johnson added.

“It’s just slow and stationary and backwards and sideways.”

But Eagles coach Andrew McQualter refused to panic – instead telling Fox Footy at the first break: “We’re under a fair bit of pressure there. I thought we held up quite well”.

And from there, West Coast went on the attack.

The match was completely flipped on its head in the second term as West Coast ramped up the pressure – and put it on the scoreboard.

“Their pressure was through the roof – I haven’t seen this from the Eagles all year!” Healy praised.

“It was supreme!

“It was much more instinctive footy.

“Nobody wants to play going slow and sideways. Nobody grew up doing that!”

And when the Giants went on a five-goal run in the third term, the Eagles refused to wilt.

They lifted their early third term pressure rating of 140 up to a remarkable 263.

And with West Coast able to shut down GWS’ big strength – defence 50 to inside 50 transition, it was the Eagles who claimed their third win of the season.

2. HARLEY’S HEROICS INSPIRE EAGLES

West Coast were getting “slaughtered” early in the contest, but GWS couldn’t put them away.

So when Harley Reid lifted in arguably one of the best quarters of football this season, it put the Eagles in front.

Reid was everywhere with 14 touches and two goals – including one after individual brilliance that included a fend off on Joe Fonti, a bounce, a free kick and then the around the body goal.

“Harley Reid may well be having his best-ever game,” Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy called.

“The Eagles talisman and he was full of power and precision in that second quarter,” Adam Papalia said.

“What a change in the game we saw in that second term. 10 points down at quarter time the Eagles … Harley Reid had a big say on that contest.”

“He was absolutely brilliant,” Healy added.

“Just led the way – and it needed somebody to grab this game.

“Harley Reid out of the centre – he just brutalised a number of people and then he just kept on going.

“He handballed, tackled, he harassed, he kicked goals – he was absolutely brilliant.”

Brad Johnson said Reid’s efforts “lifted everybody” at Optus Stadium.

“It was outstanding by their best player,” he said.

“He’s taking the competition by storm and now he’s absolutely starting to show it consistently.”

Teammate Reuben Ginbey was full of praise for Reid’s growth in season 2026.

“To have Harls is ridiculous,” he said.

“The amount of pressure he’s had as a young fella – I think he’s coming into his own this year.

“His strength, the way he backs up his teammates, his defence is getting so much better – he’s such a great pressure player. I love playing with him.”

1. TO 50 OR NOT TO 50 … THAT IS THE QUESTION

Bulldogs great Brad Johnson was left baffled by two big no calls in the Eagles-Giants clash on Sunday.

On both occasions, the whistle had been blown and players then kicked the ball away – but no 50-metre penalty was given.

The first was after a big Toby Bedford tackle on Jack Williams in the first term.

“Should be 50 metres,” Adam Papalia said.

“Got to be! Phoaw!” Johnson added when it wasn’t.

“We’re seeing it more and more … the umpires aren’t calling 50. That there, whistle was clearly blown. Kick was well after.

“Had to be 50 metres.”

Replays showed not only did Eagle Tom McCarthy kick it away, but Tom Cole got a handball in too after the whistle.

And in the third term, it was GWS who got away with the same offence.

Reuben Ginbey was pushed in the back and the whistle blown for the free kick – but Toby McMullin opted to kick the ball away.

“That’s 50 – you can’t kick the ball after the whistle is blown,” Johnson said.

“This is becoming frustrating in the game.

“It’s a clear 50m penalty and we all know it and all see it, and it’s just not being adjudicated.

“There’s got to be a reason why the umps aren’t calling it.”

Eventually there were a few 50m penalties paid – three against Eagle Milan Murdock, including two together making it a 100m penalty.

Re-live Eagles-Giants in our blog below!