He almost single handedly turned the game — considered the grand final of the NAB Under-18 National Championships — in favour of Vic Country by kicking two final-quarter goals before Vic Metro responded with a late goal.
Only days after the game he was named on a half back flank in the All Australian Under-18 team, one of only two bottom-age players in the 20-member team.
Having turned 17 midway through the year, Reid still has another year at Under-18 level — with his NAB League team Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country in the national titles — before his name is called at the 2023 November AFL Draft.
Despite his bottom-age status he played a leading hand in the Marvel Stadium match, the fourth round of the championships, on the Thursday before the AFL grand final.
Two days later he acted as runner in the NAB AFL Futures Under-17 match and watched his beloved Geelong from eight rows back at ground level win a one-sided grand final.
“There was no sprinting out for messages,” he said, explaining he was a little stiff from the physical battle against Vic Metro.
Reid had never been to a grand final and, being a Geelong supporter, described the experience as “sick’’ — in a good way.
“We were on level one, only eight rows back on the 50 metre arc. That (Joel) Sellwood goal and when the siren went were the highlights
“I don’t remember their last premiership,” he said, speaking of the 2011 win when he was just six years old.
Reid’s appearance with the Vic Country team on Thursday meant he was unavailable for the Futures Under-17 match, which was a early morning curtain raiser to the AFL grand final at the MCG on Saturday.
He was selected for the match, but with only 48 hours between games was not considered for selection with either Team Houli or Team Murphy, named in honour of retired stars Bachar Houli and Marc Murphy.
Sydney Swans star Nick Davis coached Team Houli and Team Murphy was coached by Travis Cloke.
Reid had 19 disposals and seven marks in the Marvel Stadium decider, his two last-quarter goals coming after he had spent three quarters at half-back.
“I hadn’t been moved forward in any of the other games. The coach just said ‘we are putting you deep, do you’,” Reid said.
Reid was the only bottom ager in the Vic Country team.
Both his marks were taken in one-on-one contests in the goalsquare.
He and potential top-five draft pick Aaron Cadman kicked five goals between them in Vic Country’s 10.13 (73) to 12.8 (80) defeat.
Cadman was told to lead upfield and leave Reid one out in the goalsquare during the final term.
The Tongala star inspired the Vic Country team to snatch the lead midway through the final term before a big mark in the goalsquare by Vic Metro’s Cooper Harvey gave his team a seven-point lead.
Harvey is the son of AFL games record holder Brent “Boomer’’ Harvey and was one of two father-son prospects to star in the match.
The other was the son of Brisbane Lions premiership player, Marcus Ashcroft, Will. He was named the Larke Medallist for the player of the 2022 Under-18 championships after the match.
He was also named best afield in the national championships decider, after 29 possessions and having 10 inside-50s.
Reid and Kyabram’s Charlie Barrett both played roles during the championships with the Vic Country team, with Reid near best-on ground when he pulled in a Leo Barry-like final-quarter game in defence during a two-point win against South Australia.
Echuca’s Noah Long was also involved in the Vic Country campaign for the Under-18 national title, kicking a goal in the final at Marvel and kicking four in the three lead-up games to the September 23 finale.
Reid only has a couple of football commitments to complete before his season is complete.
One of those is the Bendigo Pioneers’ vote count on October 31, followed by an exit meeting.
He will then watch on in late November as teammates Jason Gilbee, Noah Long and Harvey Gallagher are expected to feature in the 2022 AFL National Draft.
“I’ll have a couple of weeks off, then I have a program coming from Bendigo Pioneers’ high-performance team, for speed, strength and power training,” he said.
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