West Coast Eagles star Harley Reid avoids serious injury, will be on managed program ahead of round one

West Coast young gun Harley Reid and key forward Jake Waterman are expected to resume pre-season training next week after shaking off injuries.

And the Eagles expect midfield bull Elliot Yeo to return from ankle surgery in the “first month of the season”.

The extent of Reid’s ankle injury remained a mystery until Tuesday night when the club revealed the 19-year-old No. 1 draft pick would work through a modified program for the remainder of this week.

“Harley has had a really good training block post-Christmas, and had a little bit of ankle soreness last Friday,” Eagles high performance manager Mat Inness said.

“With a long year ahead, we’re just looking after him this week, using it as a de-load week for him, and we expect him to be back training next week.”

Waterman, who earned a coveted All-Australian blazer last season after kicking a career high 53 goals, has missed the last two sessions with back soreness. He will also remain on modified duties this week before resuming with the full squad.

“Jake had a little bit of back soreness last Friday,” Inness told the Eagles website.

“He hasn’t missed anything the whole pre-season, so we are using this week just to modify his loads a bit, and will hopefully see him back training next week.”

Yeo damaged the medial ligaments in his right knee and suffered a syndesmosis in his right ankle after being tackled in match simulation.

“Yeo had ankle syndesmosis surgery which all went to plan,” Inness said.

“We expect to see him hopefully back playing in the first month of the season.”

Prized Richmond recruit Liam Baker, who suffered a minor ankle injury last week, has since returned to full training.

“He had a slightly rolled ankle but didn’t miss any running and he’s now back in full training,” Inness said.

Channel Seven analyst Kane Cornes this week said it was critical for Reid to build a solid training base leading into his second AFL season.

“He has had an interrupted pre-season and to me, this guy needs to train and train with consistency and needs to build the habits that are required to be the superstar that we all hope he gets to,” Cornes said on SEN.

“I think Harley Reid needs to learn how to train.

“And that’s fine. He’s 19. I don’t think he’s yet training at the level that is required and is not living to elite standards that some other players are – but that’s OK, some players take five or six years to get that. I hope he gets it sooner. Just temper your expectations I reckon of what Harley Reid is going to deliver (in 2025).”