Harley Reid says Charlie Comben went for his head before tensions boiled over during the Eagles’ drought-breaking win over North Melbourne.
Reid picked up 30 possessions to guide the Eagles back from five goals down to beat the Kangaroos by 17 points at Optus Stadium on Sunday night.
The 17.9 (111) to 15.4 (94) victory was West Coast’s first since their win over St Kilda in Round 10 last season.
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In a heated contest, it was Comben’s off-the-ball strike at Reid that sparked a massive all-in melee at three-quarter time.
The Kangaroos defender had taken Elliot Yeo high with a swinging tackle that tossed the Eagles player over the sideline.
The Eagles veteran went back and kicked a classy goal after the three-quarter-time siren.
Reid then appeared to run towards Comben as Eagles players celebrated the goal before Comben appeared to hit the former No. 1 draft pick with a stiff forearm to the head.
The contact was enough to flatten Reid, who spent time on the ground looking worse for wear as Eagles players ran in to shove Comben.
The rush of Eagles players towards Comben prompted North Melbourne players to react before a mass melee ensued.
After tensions simmered down and players walked to their three-quarter time huddles, Jake Waterman was one of several Eagles players who continued to sledge Kangaroos players.
The Eagles had the last laugh, despite North Melbourne mounting a fourth-quarter fight back.
Even after getting to a 31-point lead in the final term, the nerves kicked in as Kangaroos forward Nick Larkey dragged the margin back to 11 points with his sixth goal.
Despite an error-riddled finish, the Eagles held on for their first win in 308 days.
Reid was all smiles after the final siren, but said he had been “frustrated” in the moments leading into the three-quarter-time melee.
“I didn’t expect that,” Reid told Fox Footy.
“I was a bit frustrated at that point, but I was just trying to get over the ‘Yeoy’ after he kicked an amazing goal and just copped one straight to the chin.
“It’s good being on the other end of it.”
When asked about the incident with Comben, Reid shifted away from his first comment.
“I wasn’t frustrated, I just thought dog eat dog out there. He went for (the) head, so, a bit dog,” he said.
“But oh well, we move on.”
After just six wins in his two seasons with the club, Reid admitted he was “grateful” to be part of the rare win.
“It’s bloody awesome. You miss it, no doubt about it,” he said on Fox Footy.
“I’m just super grateful that we played to our system and we got the job done tonight.”
The Eagles won just one game in 2025.
The Eagles had nine players with 15 games or less of experience at the top level, plus Reid (40 games), Tylar Young (36) and Deven Robertson.
That group kicked 10 goals between them against the Kangaroos, and each of them had their moment to contribute.
The early form of number 4 draft selection Cooper Duff-Tytler is gaining some attention.
He kicked two goals on Sunday and had a hand in two others. He is showing more versatility that a 200cm ruck-forward should in his second game.
“I thought I saw Gout Gout running across our forward 50 there at one stage with Cooper,” McQualter joked.
“He was incredible, the speed that he had. I just thought he had really big moments in the game.
“He kicked a couple of important goals. He stood up, took a contested mark and finished the goal. I thought it was important.
“And he’s a young man, really driven to be a great player.
“He’s getting some great teachings from Jake Waterman and Harry Taylor, our aerial coach.
“And he’s going to be a pretty special player.”
— with NewsWire
