If you thought Harley Reid’s match-winning performance against Greater Western Sydney was the young star at his best, Andrew McQualter’s got a harsh reality for you.

The second-year coach has declared the sky is the limit for the Victorian who is quickly emerging as one of the best players in the league as he approaches his 50th game next weeekend.

Reid dominated a star-studded Giants midfield to rack up a career-best 34 disposals, 10 clearances, 10 score involvements, 786m gained, 12 inside 50s, eight tackles and two goals.

It was ultimately the difference between the two sides as the Eagles claimed their third win of the season 13.10 (88) to 10.11 (71).

While McQualter said Reid’s performance was exceptional, he warned that he had “a lot of scope to be a better player”

“The sky is the limit for this young man. He was exceptional tonight. In the first half he was really powerful, loved his game, love how emotionally invested he is in the game and his teammates and what he’s trying to do,” he said.

“Clearly he’s a barometer for us, I think he gets the crowd going a lot as well which is powerful. He plays his 50th game next week so he’s still at the very start of his career.

“And he’s got to still work really hard, he’s got a long way to go still and that’s the exciting part for our fans and our club, that he’s got a lot of scope still to be a better player.”

Reid’s ridiculous offensive performance was complemented by two tagging roles of teammates Milan Murdock and Brady Hough, who curtailed the influence of Giants weapons Lachie Whitfield and Finn Callaghan respectively.

“We’ve got a great coaching group who do a power of work. And analysts and we looked into the Giants and who fuels their ball movement and we just thought those guys are so powerful,” McQualter said.

“Houghy did a great job last week, along with Willem (Duursma). I think it’s important to really recognise Willem too he’s a young man and we’re tasking him with some big jobs as well when Houghy’s not there. I love the way they’re giving themselves to the team.

“And Milan, was like a dog with a bone on Whitfield. He gave away that 100m penalty which was disappointing, it was a costly period of the game, but he came off, he was disappointed with himself and we spoke to him and he goes back on. The game was probably over in hindsight but to get that holding the ball (free kick) and finish with that goal, to give something back to the team was a credit to the young man.”

McQualter was also buoyed by the incredible pressure his team displayed throughout the game especially after quarter-time which did not drop off until the final siren.

“Probably the second half, it was quite extraordinary. These boys pressured. We have a stat in the last 10 minutes of a quarter which every gets, that ‘rocket stat’ and I think it was over three, I don’t think I’ve seen it,” he said.

“We were able to restrict their marks, restrict their run and carry game. The Giants are the best back half ball movement team in the comp, so we had to put a lot of focus into that as you can imagine ... I just thought the amount of pressure we applied on the ball carrier and our defence in general was at a higher level tonight and it was fun to watch.”