Harley Reid is a precocious talent, whose debut season was played with power, speed and confidence. His fame shot to stratospheric heights in the Perth fishbowl.

Now, developing the No.1 pick into the elite on-baller he promises to be presents West Coast with a huge challenge under new coach Andrew McQualter.

Harley Reid returned to the Eagles for his second season hoping to build upon his outstanding debut campaign.Credit: Getty Images

The way they manage Reid’s development will define their rebuild, regardless of whether they keep him.

Reid’s start to his first full pre-season has been rocky. He returned in less-than-perfect shape after his first extended break for 10 months, and then was concussed in his first week back. He’ll be off his feet for a few sessions after calf soreness that left him on a modified program in the off-season flared.

Experienced heads understood Reid needed to mentally refresh in the off-season after performing exceptionally well in his first campaign under a brighter spotlight than any first-year player has been under in the game’s history.

Combine that with the tiredness that comes with constant travel, there was no doubt when he returned to his tight-knit, down-to-earth community that he would breathe out for a time. And he did.

But with all of that said, Reid is ahead of where he was this time last year when he rolled into town as a country footballer with elite talent.

New Eagles coach Andrew McQualter is a straight shooter and only........

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