West Coast are encouraging Harley Reid to continue playing on edge after the rising star ruffled Fremantle's feathers during Saturday's 35-point western derby loss.
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Reid tallied a career-high 29 disposals and 10 clearances in a dazzling display, with his efforts helping West Coast build a 19-point lead late in the second term before the Dockers took control of the match.
Saturday night's derby will be remembered for the ongoing physical battles between Reid and Fremantle's star-studded midfield.
Andrew Brayshaw was particularly frustrated by Reid's physicality, with the Dockers vice-captain at one point bowling the Eagle over with a brutal hit from behind.
On the rare occasions when Fremantle players were able to tackle Reid to ground, they made sure to dish out extra verbal barbs and physical punishment.
Reid didn't take a backward step, even when booed by the pro-Dockers crowd, and West Coast interim coach Jarrad Schofield loved every second of it.
"I asked the players to play on the edge, and he was right on it," Schofield said.
"He's pretty strong for a 19-year-old. It takes two or three of them (to take him down).
"Good on them for coming at him, because he's not taking a backward step, and we don't want him to take a backward step.
"I was really proud of him tonight.
"He didn't get caught up in all the external noise and what was going on in the game. He just kept playing hard football."
Reid did give away an unnecessary free kick which led to the goal in the third term when he took down Sam Switkowski in an off-the-ball incident.
A wild melee erupted after Switkowski kicked the goal, but Eagles veteran Elliot Yeo quickly escorted Reid to the middle of the ground to ensure the young star didn't get into trouble.
"When he (Yeo) put his arm around Harley, it's like big brother looking after little brother," Schofield said.
"I thought Harley played the game the right way, played tough, didn't get distracted, played on the edge, and he had his big brother looking after him."
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir felt Reid's battle with the Dockers' midfield brigade was a "good mutual tussle all round".
"I think Harley gives as good as he gets," Longmuir said.
Caleb Serong won the Glendinning-Allan medal as best afield after tallying 32 disposals, 10 clearances, one goal and 525m gained.
It marked the 70th consecutive game that Serong has tallied at least 20 possessions, equalling the record set by Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae.
Schofield's plan of using Zane Trew to quell Serong lasted just five seconds, with the Eagles youngster injuring his neck in a collision with a teammate during the opening bounce of the game.
"It was whiplash, something along those lines, so he's been sent off to hospital to check that out," Schofield said.
West Coast are hopeful of regaining All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern for Friday night's home clash with Gold Coast.
Australian Associated Press
