Harley Reid (right) kicked three goals for Victoria Country on Sunday.Credit:AFL Photos
Country coach Paul Corrigan,who is also in charge of the Geelong Falcons,stationed Reid in the goal square,and he responded with three goals in the first 10 minutes to put South Australia on the back foot at Ikon Park,which was full of recruiters and agents.
But the South Australians bounced back to win their first match of the championships after two defeats,beating Country by 19 points thanks to five goals from Adelaide’s 2024 father-son candidate Tyler Welsh,the son of Scott.
Sixteen-year-old Welsh made his carnival debut after recovering from a back stress fracture.
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Highly rated draft prospect Jack Delean kicked four of his own,while bottom-ager Sid Draper (29 disposals,four clearances) – brother of Collingwood’s Arlo – continues to push for All-Australian honours with another excellent performance. Potential first-round pick Ashton Moir also showed his class.
Reid (14,five clearances) had three opponents by early in the second term,with Alex Holt,Will Patton and Bodie Ryan all having a turn on the budding superstar,who is consistently compared with Richmond champion Dustin Martin.
He did not add to his goal tally but had another set shot and almost kicked a fourth,after he brushed off a defender then snapped towards goal before teammate Joel Freijah marked on the goal line and made sure of it.