Coach rejects Harley Reid claim as Ken Hinkley wows with response to Jack Ginnivan act

West Coast coach Andrew McQualter has dismissed suggestions the Eagles' poor form could convince Harley Reid to the leave the club. The Eagles slumped to an eighth-consecutive loss on Saturday night when they were walloped by 49 points by fellow AFL strugglers Richmond.

Reid racked up 20 disposals and six clearances in the first half, but was restricted to just four possessions in the third quarter as the Eagles imploded. West Coast trailed by just nine points at the half before Richmond piled on eight goals to one in a devastating third-quarter blitz to run away with the 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) win.

Richmond coach Adem Yze admitted he felt "sorry for the kid" after 20-year-old Reid was given a hard tag by Jack Ross. The No.1 draft pick has now become the No.1 target for opposition taggers.

Harley Reid (L) and the Eagles suffered another loss, while Ken Hinkley (R) had a 'brilliant' response to Jack Ginnivan's payback celebration (centre). Image: Getty/Fox Footy

West Coast are now 1-17 on the year and all-but certain to collect a second wooden spoon in three seasons. Reid has only experienced six wins in 38 games so far in his young career, but McQualter doesn't think it will dissuade him from sticking around.

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Reid is from country Victoria, and speculation is rife he'll look to move home when his deal with the Eagles expires. "I think if you see Harley and the way he's invested, he's absolutely in and he's a competitor," McQualter said after the game.

"He's wanting to do everything to get this club out of this position. Nobody likes losing, I appreciate that part of it. We're all sick to death of it to be honest. But we're the only people that can make a change. It's people inside the four walls that can get us out of here and we have to do it together."

Harley Reid and Andrew McQualter during West Coast's loss to Richmond. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been praised for his "brilliant" response to a goal celebration from Jack Ginnivan that was directed at him during Hawthorn's win on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks got some payback on Port with a 38-point in Launceston after the Power knocked them out of the finals last year.

After that spiteful match last season, Hinkley copped a $20,000 fine for taunting Ginnivan by telling him "you're not flying" - a reference to the fact the Hawks wouldn't be travelling to Sydney for the next match. On Saturday, Ginnivan kicked an early goal before putting his arms out like a plane in a direct reference to Hinkley's taunt.

The Port coached cracked a smile in the box and saw the funny side, and won praise for his post-match comments about it. "Payback is deserved," Hinkley admitted. "I have no problems with it and I am OK with it, I think it's good for the game, the theatre of the game.

"And good on Jack ... and Hawthorn themselves as a club. I won't be one that sits here and does anything but acknowledge that it was my turn today."

Jack Ginnivan sent a direct message to Ken Hinkley after kicking a goal. Image: Getty

Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton said on Fox Footy: “Well done, Kenny. He’s a good man. He’s taken that in great spirits. Sometimes you’ve just got to lick your wounds, don’t you? I’m applauding Ken for having a giggle at that. That’s like Kenny’s just stood up and said ‘touché’.”

Fellow commentator Dwayne Russell added: “Brilliant sportsmanship, really, from Kenny there, as the fans (with) a bit of pantomime booing as well when Kenny was shown on the big screen. Ken (is) enjoying it, really, the pantomime villain."

This article originally appeared on Yahoo Sport Australia at https://au.news.yahoo.com/coach-rejects-harley-reid-claim-as-ken-hinkley-wows-with-response-to-jack-ginnivan-act-002242014.html

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