INVERLOCH-Kongwak’s Archer Reid is off to Western Australia within days after being taken at Pick 30 by the West Coast Eagles in the AFL Draft on Tuesday night, November 21.

He was the first selection on night 2 of the draft after teammates at Gippsland Power Zane Duursma at Number 4 and Wil Dawson at Number 22 were picked up by North Melbourne, while Tew Jiath went at Pick 27 to the club he supports, Collingwood, and emerging ruckman from Warragul, Lachy Smith was taken at Pick 47 by the Western Bulldogs..

The younger brother of Essendon defender Zach Reid, Archer is a mobile tall forward who is renowned for his outstanding overhead marking, natural goal sense and clean hands below his knees for a 203cm big man.

He is also a noted team player, constantly working hard to bring his teammates into the game by hand and foot, a contribution that helped him to runner-up best at Gippsland Power this year.

Speaking to the Sentinel-Times Archer said he was grateful for the opportunity.

“It will be an absolute honour to represent the Eagles and also rapt to see some of my teammates get the same opportunity,” said Archer immediately after seeing his selection at home in Inverloch with family and friends.

“Can’t wait to get across there and meet my new teammates,” he said.

The son of elite sports in their own right, Craig and Meagan Reid, Archer is the grandson of former Footscray, Dalyston and Wonthaggi champion Peter McRae who masterminded Wonthaggi’s only defeat of Leongatha in a grand final when they beat the Parrots by 20 points to take out the 1962 South Gippsland League Premiership.

Peter McRae played 16 games at the Doggies, alongside the great Teddy Whitton in 1956.