Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca knew that Harley Reid’s fend-off would “go viral straight away,” after the West Coast youngster’s game-breaking performance last Sunday.
Halfway through the third quarter against the Demons, the 2023 Pick #1 managed to fend off not just Petracca, but also Oliver in the same play – showing more than just shades of a prime Dustin Martin.
Reid finished the match with two goals from his 21 disposals, 10 score involvements and seven clearances.
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The four-time All-Australian opened up on the match highlight on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Tuesday night.
“I tipped my hat to myself for running that fast (chasing Reid) to be honest,” Petracca said while laughing.
“He’s a generation talent; an absolute freak – I had a good laugh after it.”
Crazily, Reid’s fend-off wasn’t even the biggest talking point on the 19-year-old on Sunday, with his first quarter goal directly from a centre clearance sending Optus Stadium and fans across Australia into a frenzy.
And unfortunately for Petracca, he was the one left trying to catch the Round 5 Rising Star nominee.
“When he kicked the goal, (former teammate) Jayden Hunt was on the wing and just looked at me – we just started laughing, there’s not much more I could do,” Petracca added.
When asked by AFL 360 panellist and Herald Sun Chief Football Writer Mark Robinson whether or not he thought he could catch Reid during the chase, Petracca was short and sharp.
“No … I didn’t give up (on the chase), but the goal and fending me off – and Clarry – was pretty special.”
AFL 360 host Gerard Whateley then asked the inside midfield bull whether or not he’s corresponded with the Eagle since.
“I messaged him yesterday, and said ‘thanks for that mate’ – he replied with a love heart which was nice,” Petracca explained.
“I had a little bit to do with him, he’s obviously a Connor Sports boy with Toby (Greene) and I so had a bit to do with him before the pre-draft.
“He’s an absolute ripper, a good guy,”
“I think he biggest thing as well is what he does for the fans over there (in Perth); when he does those things what he’s doing right now, it lifts the whole crowd – it just honestly is amazing.”
Reid has the opportunity to help get West Coast their fourth win of 2024 against Adelaide in Adelaide this Sunday evening, while Melbourne will be looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses against St Kilda the same afternoon.
