Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale has called on the media to back off AFL phenom Harley Reid, after the West Coast Eagles star was cited for misconduct during Sunday’s clash with the defending champions.
Reid was fined $1000 for performing a middle-finger gesture to the Gabba crowd, who had been targeting the 19-year-old to the point where one fan came down to the front of the stands with a packet of tissues.
The No.1 draft pick also gave away seven free kicks during the Eagles’ loss.
Lachie Neale (left) has jumped to Harley Reid’s (right) defence.
But Reid garnered an ally in Neale.
The former Fremantle Docker implored pundits not to make Reid a lightning rod for criticism in the fledgling stages of his career.
“I think people need to lay off him a bit and just let him play footy,” Neale said.
“I’ve seen a lot of commentary around him, he’s a young man trying to find his way in a difficult environment – especially in Perth, the media can be quite relentless.
“I think some of the media around him has been horrific. I just want to see the kid play some good footy and enjoy himself, and it probably seems like he’s not, and a lot of that is to do with the distractions outside.
“I don’t really blame him for the way he’s acting. I hope the media sort of back off him.”
Brisbane have needed to manage expectations for their own blossoming talents, with Cam Rayner emerging from heavily scrutinised No.1 draft pick to one of the club’s best.
Kai Lohmann, who returns from an ankle injury to take on Geelong along with Charlie Cameron (calf), became a fan favourite – kicking four goals in the grand final – while Norm Smith Medal winner Will Ashcroft and his brother Levi have earned headlines.
Lohmann’s return comes at the expense of 19-year-old Will McLachlan, who kicked two goals on debut against West Coast.
Brisbane’s forward line was decimated following the retirement of club legend Joe Daniher, with recruit Sam Day only making his first appearance on Sunday following his father’s passing.
His key forward combination with Eric Hipwood reaped just two goals between them before Callum Ah Chee inspired a late fightback, while Lohmann and Charlie Cameron (calf) were joined in the casualty ward by Lincoln McCarthy (ACL).
Coach Chris Fagan has confirmed the Lions were in the market for a tall forward, with Eagles star Oscar Allen strongly linked.
Neale believed any forward line issues stemmed from the service they were receiving, while declaring McLachlan was “going to be a real talent for us for a long time”.
“I thought we looked pretty damaging in there when the guys up the field … gave them good opportunities. Early in that first half we weren’t getting the advantage, we weren’t taking the easy option, so I thought they actually worked quite well,” Neale said.
“I think they’re working pretty well for the inexperience that’s there at the moment. We might get Charlie or Kai back this week or in the next couple of weeks and get some stability there, but I’m not too worried about the forward line.”
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