WEST Coast superstar Harley Reid has declared he wants to be a leader of the club and help drive the Eagles back up the ladder in 2027 after claiming his first John Worsfold Medal on Friday night.
Reid polled 260 votes to win the Eagles’ club champion award after a brilliant third season, beating key forward Jake Waterman (209) and midfielder Tim Kelly (193) on a night when the Eagles looked forward with optimism and excitement.
Pre-season selection Milan Murdock (170) and defender/midfielder Brady Hough (166) rounded out the top five, with Murdock producing a terrific debut season after joining the club in late February as a mature-age recruit.
Prized No.1 pick Willem Duursma followed in Reid's footsteps to secure a top 10 finish in his debut season, placing seventh, while key defender Reuben Ginbey led mid-season but slid to ninth after a serious quad injury ended his terrific season after 13 games.
Reid was celebrated in front of more than 800 guests at Crown Perth after a third season of significant growth with his professionalism and leadership, leading the Eagles for disposals (24.6), contested possessions (13.4) and clearances (6.6), and ranking No.2 for inside 50s (4.5).
His emerging leadership was a theme of the night as the Eagles reflected on their season, with Reid eager to play a role leading the club's young players after learning valuable lessons in 2026.
"The end result is I want to be a leader for this club and I want to be someone that lets my actions and my footy [make me] a leader and get the boys to follow," Reid said on Friday night.
"That's something that I want to bring into my game and bring the boys along.
"All this stuff (individual awards) I'm not too fussed about. I'm more fussed about winning games of footy and winning premierships with the great bunch of boys that we have.
"So, hopefully next year is the year that we can get that all clicked, and realistically I want to be playing in September."
Reid developed as a leader in 2026 and notably played through significant pain against Collingwood in round 22, earning plaudits for a performance that highlighted his potential as a future Eagles captain.
The powerful onballer reflected on the elite habits he had built this year, and how leading young players like fellow No.1 pick and housemate Willem Duursma had helped him grow his own game.
"You don't get it in your first pre-season … but I think just being able to knuckle down and have a great support system [has helped]," Reid said.
"Something that I think held me in good stead this year was having guys like 'Bakes' (Liam Baker) and 'Fridge' (Jack Graham) get me up most mornings when I was in Perth to come out and have a run and get that done.
"It's just being able to create better habits. Willem too for me was something that I'll hold forever that I think has taught me a lot of great lessons.
"It's probably made me create a lot of good habits instead of being probably lazy at times, and having him in my household has made me go to the next level to create good habits and be someone that he can look up to."
Reid used his acceptance speech to thank his family, his hometown community in Tongala, his teammates, and specifically ruckman Bailey Williams, who built a strong on-field connection with the midfield jet.
He highlighted the club's medical staff and their ability to help him play a full season, while crediting coach Andrew McQualter and his accountable style for drawing out his best football this year.
The 21-year-old finished an entertaining speech on a humorous note by telling the crowd "I'll see you in round three", acknowledging the two-week suspension he copped in the final round for a dangerous tackle against Hawthorn co-captain Jai Newcombe.
Speaking to media afterwards, Reid said he would continue looking for the right balance with his on-field aggression, but he had been frustrated this season by the record number of free kicks (69) that were paid against him.
"At times I felt like I would get targeted at times in a way. And I guess I made history for the most free kicks against, so that's all right we will take that," Reid said.
"But the aggression that I play with is something that I've admired from afar watching other players play the game, and I think nowadays they're trying to minimise it at times.
"I can cross the line at times, but I play footy with aggression and I love watching hard footballers go at it.
"So it's a bit frustrating seeing the way they're getting a bit soft, but the WA tax is getting me a little bit."
The first half of Friday night's count was close, with Ginbey leading after 13 rounds with 159 votes to Reid's 149, highlighting the 21-year-old's influence through an impressive first half of the year that netted four wins.
Waterman climbed to finish second in the highest finish of his career after also taking out the club's leading goalkicker award for the second time with 49 majors, while 2023 winner Kelly secured his third podium finish as an Eagle.
In other awards on the night, Ginbey was named as the Eagles' best defensive player while also collecting the prestigious Chris Mainwaring Medal as best clubman. Duursma was named as the Eagles' emerging talent, with ruckman Matt Fynn winning the WAFL best and fairest.
Former Eagle Scott Selwood was among those awarded with life membership after a career that included 135 games for West Coast before returning home to finish his career with Geelong.
The 36-year-old spoke about the gifts that football had given him, including the time spent with brothers Adam and Troy, who both tragically died in 2025.
2026 John Worsfold Medal
1. Harley Reid – 260 votes
2. Jake Waterman (209)
3. Tim Kelly (193)
4. Milan Murdock (170)
5. Brady Hough (166)
6. Tom McCarthy (164)
7. Willem Duursma (163)
8. Elliot Yeo (161)
9. Reuben Ginbey (159)
10. Liam Baker (155)