DESPITE being more than 3500km away, Western Australia isn’t altogether an alien location for the boy from Inverloch, Archer Reid.
Taken as pick 30 by the West Coast Eagles in the AFL National Draft on Tuesday, November 21, Archer has his father Craig, who played for Perth in the WAFL in the early 1990s, and then spent time in the fabled gold mining town of Kalgoorlie, to give him the lay of the land.
“Just looking forward to getting over there,” said Archer after a whirlwind couple days since hearing his name, together with a house full of family and friends, read out on Fox Sports by the AFL’s Executive General Manager Laura Kane.
He was among just 64 young hopefuls across Australia to get the opportunity.
On Wednesday he met with the Eagles’ recruiting team in Wonthaggi, including Player Wellbeing and Development Manager, Drew Petrie, a former assistant coach at the Eagles and 332-game legend at North Melbourne and West Coast.
“Simmo had to go back and take training,” he said of coach Adam Simpson, whom he met on a previous occasion.
“I leave on Friday, and I’ll be there for three weeks before we get a break and I’ll come home for Christmas,” he said.
“I go to Melbourne on the 10th of January for the AFL induction and then back to Perth the following Monday to continue the preseason.”
A car drives past on Ramsay Boulevard as we’re heading to the beach and former Leongatha premiership coach, Colin Boyd, himself a 44-game AFL player with Essendon and Footscray, calls out his congratulations.
“Hey Archer, well done,” says another, in a family group also on their way to the beach.
It’s hardly surprising the hometown boy would be well-recognised, not just for his 203cm height (6’6” in the old measure), but also for his role in Inverloch-Kongwak’s 2023 premiership win over Phillip Island where he helped set them alight with an early goal.
“Yeah, it was awesome,” said Reid about being able to apply an exclamation mark to his local football journey.
“I’ve had great feedback, plenty of support, including from people in the street.”
Archer has played all his footy at Inverloch, in the yellow and blue, incidentally the same colours as the Eagles, since he first turned out with the IK Under 11s in 2015.
Having played three games earlier in the season, in Rounds 3, 4, and 17, Archer rejoined the IK seniors just in time to play in the grand final victory after Gippsland Power lost a game they should have won, against the Tassie Devils, where they kicked 5.15 to 9.8 in a losing qualifying final.
Reid was among the best that day, having played 11 Gippy Power games in 2023, alternating between roles as a tall forward and in the ruck.
“That’s my favourite role. If there’s nothing much happening up forward, you can get into the game on the ball.”
But he hasn’t set those sorts of goals this far out for the Eagles.
“Just get through the preseason first and make some strong relationships. Take it one stage at a time.”
A lifetime Collingwood supporter, Archer says he’s been more of ‘a Zach supporter’ in recent times, especially since his older brother was taken as pick 10 in the national draft by Essendon.
But it’s West Coast Eagles now.
Having the most influence on his footy at Gippsland Power, according to Archer, were coach Rhett McLennan and AFL Talent Manager Scott Mcdougal, while locally, he said Inverloch-Kongwak has plenty of quality players, but he particularly admires how Lewie Rankin goes about it.
Of course, he doesn’t have to look far past his own family; Craig, elite netballer Megan, and brothers Kyle and Zach for plenty of good sporting advice.
“There’s pretty good sporting genes on mum’s side as well, but the main message she gives me is to be nice and respectful and you’ll find good things come your way.”
As much as Archer, his family and friends won’t want to be looking too far ahead, the Eagles have only one game in Melbourne until they play Collingwood on May 12, with the Bulldogs hosting them at Marvel on March 31. So, if he does get an early call up, it will more than likely involve interstate travel for family members.
Home or away, though, there’ll be plenty of support coming his way from back home… best wishes Archer.