West Coast Eagles coach Andrew McQualter reveals AFL confirmed a free kick against Harley Reid was incorrect

The AFL has admitted to West Coast a free kick paid against Harley Reid that led directly to a goal in Saturday night’s defeat to Sydney was an error, coach Andrew McQualter has revealed. Reid was tagged out of the game by Swans hitman James Jordon as the Eagles were crushed by 128 points in their biggest-ever Optus Stadium defeat. It led to several experts questioning the 20-year-old’s attitude, with many pointing to the moment Reid showed his frustration over the decision. McQualter revealed in an interview with 7NEWS the league had clarified Swans midfielder Angus Sheldrick should not have been paid a free kick when he and Reid collided in the centre square early in the third quarter. The free kick led directly to a Sydney goal. “I’m really strong on Harley that I want him to be a disciplined player, but I actually think on the weekend he’s been treated a little bit harshly,” he told 7NEWS. “The AFL has come to us, and one of the free kicks that was paid against him was incorrect. They admitted that mistake, and I think some of the commentary around the free kicks paid to Jordon, it wasn’t against Harley. “He’s not perfect, and he won’t be because he plays on the edge, which we love. But I want to make sure the narrative is very honest and correct about his discipline on the weekend.” Reid was held to just 17 disposals and 151 metres gained just a fortnight after collecting a career-best 30 disposals in an Optus Stadium victory over North Melbourne. McQualter said Reid and the club would be preparing for similar attention this week from Oisin Mullin as the side flies to Adelaide to face Geelong, fresh from a one-point defeat to Hawthorn on Easter Monday, in Gather Round. “We know (the Cats) have a run with role they use as well,” he said. “So, we’ve got to support Harley a bit better in that space, and we’ll make sure we go to work on that this week, and it won’t be the same result on the weekend. “There’s certainly some methods around the ball and protecting him around the ball and I think even just giving him the ball. “It’s not all about that, though. We understand Harley’s got a role to play within it as well, so we’ve got some great coaches who’ll go to work in this space. “He plays with theatre, he’s a great person to watch play the game, and he does play on the edge, which I tell him we embrace. “But we also don’t want silly mistakes that will cost the team. It’s a fine line and don’t think this will be the end of this conversation. I love him on our team and what he’s doing for our club.” On Sunday, former star Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane called out Reid’s senior teammates and said they needed to lift their efforts in protecting the 20-year-old. “I was a bit frustrated watching because I’m looking at guys like Tim Kelly, and Jack Graham tried to put on a block every now and then and no, Elliot Yeo didn’t help, but there was not much help for Harley Reid,” he told the Sunday Footy Show. “I want to see some of their senior players help and get across to block. It’s tough in your third year of footy when you’re getting tagged so heavily from a great tagger like James Jordon. “Especially from someone like Tim Kelly, who’s been tagged a lot in his career and knows how tough it is. Like, get across, put a body on him and try and free up Harley at the stoppage as well.”