West Coast Coach Opens Up on Pivotal Meeting Between Harley Reid and Dustin Martin
West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter has provided a fascinating insight into a significant off-season meeting between young gun Harley Reid and Richmond legend Dustin Martin, revealing the crucial change that propelled Martin to greatness and why Reid is perfectly positioned to follow a similar path.
The Arranged Meeting of Two Generations
McQualter, who previously served as Richmond's stoppage coach during Martin's ascension, orchestrated the encounter when the triple-premiership superstar was in Perth visiting former teammates Liam Baker and Jack Graham late last year. The Eagles coach extended an invitation to Reid, believing the interaction would be invaluable for the young player's development.
"He was more than happy for Harley to come along and just meet him and spend some time with him," McQualter told AFL.com. "They both live pretty unique lives as high draft picks who are quite recognisable in the public scene. But Dustin was able to have a pretty extraordinary career, so if we can impart some of his knowledge and what shifted for him over his career onto Harley, then I think everybody wins."
The Transformative Shift in Martin's Game
McQualter, now in his second year leading the Eagles, witnessed firsthand the evolution that transformed Martin from a very good player into one of the greatest of the modern AFL era. He pinpointed a fundamental change in mindset that made all the difference.
"To live in their shoes is not something I've had to ever do," McQualter reflected. "But for me, what changed with Dustin is he just became an incredible team player. That's what I saw first-hand. I think if you watched Dustin's first five years of his career, he was a good player, a very good player. But what changed is he just became so focused on winning and doing whatever it took for the team to win. Sometimes that looked different for him, and that might be the same for Harley. So that'll be an important lesson to learn."
Reid's Promising Pre-Season and Maturity
Harley Reid has generated considerable buzz this pre-season, returning to training noticeably fitter and stronger after a challenging second year marred by injuries. McQualter has been particularly impressed with the young star's maturity and commitment to improvement.
The coach acknowledged that Reid's second season didn't meet expectations, but framed it as a common experience for young players. "It started last year. He didn't have the season he wanted to, but he's not the first 19-year-old to get his second season wrong," McQualter explained. "It happens and it's a really tough caper. He had a really good first year, but I think during the year he wasn't happy with the way his season went."
McQualter detailed the supportive approach taken by the club, stating, "We sat down and we really supported him and made a plan on how to maximise his time and his off-season and pre-season. Harley wants to be a great player and he wants this club to win. So he's putting the pieces together of what that takes and he's on the right path."
As the central figure in West Coast's rebuilding efforts, Reid's development remains paramount. The guidance from a legend like Martin, facilitated by a coach who understands the transformation required, provides a compelling blueprint for the young Eagle's journey toward fulfilling his immense potential.
