LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Aussie Rules Legends Patrick Cripps and Lachie Neale have been suggested as potential candidates to help mentor young West Coast Eagle Harley Reid, following recent controversy surrounding the 19-year-old's performance and behavior.
Former player Luke Hodge highlighted the lack of leadership within the Eagles' squad and emphasized the importance of experienced players in guiding Reid towards success.
Hodge shared his own experience of having strong leaders around him during his formative years and emphasized the impact they had on his development.
He suggested that players like Scott Pendlebury, Patrick Cripps, and Lachie Neale could be instrumental in shaping Reid's career and providing the necessary guidance.
While Pendlebury is nearing the end of his career at Collingwood, Hodge compared his potential impact to his own mentoring role at Brisbane towards the end of his playing days.
Cripps and Neale, both originally from Perth, were also mentioned as ideal candidates, although their current commitments to Carlton and Brisbane make a move to West Coast unlikely.
Hodge stressed the importance of having respected figures around Reid to help him progress and avoid potential pitfalls in his career.
He highlighted the need for strong leadership and mentorship within the Eagles' squad to ensure the young player's development is on the right track.
Overall, Hodge's comments shed light on the challenges facing young players like Reid and the pivotal role that experienced mentors can play in their growth and success.
The suggestion of bringing in established players like Cripps and Neale to provide guidance underscores the importance of leadership and support within AFL teams for the development of emerging talent.