West Coast coach Adam Simpson says Harley Reid is already exceeding the club’s expectations after the No.1 draft pick tore Fremantle to shreds in the western derby win.
Reid kicked three goals to go with 19 disposals, seven clearances and two contested marks in West Coast's stunning 16.9 (105) to 10.8 (68) victory over Fremantle on Saturday.
The 37-point win followed on from his hot display in the 39-point win over Richmond, when Reid racked up 27 disposals, seven clearances and a goal to earn the round five Rising Star nomination.
Reid is the most hyped No.1 draft pick in AFL history, and he’s well and truly living up to his billing.
“We love what Harley's doing and our internal expectations are not what he's producing — they (his performances) are a lot higher,” Simpson said.
“They're probably just meeting expectations publicly. So I’m really cautious to not overplay it, because he's 19. It’s hard to sustain that coming into the AFL.
“While he keeps doing it. I think we should all enjoy it, but let's not get too worried if he has an off day.
“Today he ... kicked three and really energised the crowd and the players, but we're not expecting that every week.”
Reid's growing popularity is on track to rival that of Nic Naitanui and Ben Cousins in their hey day — not that the Victorian is letting the popularity go to his head.
“I'm sure Harley will be the first to say it's not about him,” Simpson said.
“It's about all of us. I think we all enjoy the fact that he contributes the way he does.
“But I'm sure he doesn't want us to say it's about him, although he's a very good player and he's he's helped us.”
The injection of youth has helped energise West Coast.
But its veterans are also performing to a high level, with the likes of Elliot Yeo, Tim Kelly, Tom Barrass, Jeremy McGovern and Liam Duggan all performing strongly.
Simpson has been pleased with his team's comeback from last year's wooden spoon campaign, but saysit is “nowhere near” the finished product.
“I was at pains to say to our players that we don't (want to) rely on Jake (Waterman) kicking five or Elliot having 15 clearances,” Simpson said.
“We just want good team footy I suppose.”
West Coast will be aiming to post its third win on the trot when it takes on Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Sunday.
The Eagles are sweating on the availability of defender Tom Barrass, who could be in strife for his sling tackle on Michael Walters.
— AAP