Topic: "murphy Reid" -> Murphy Reid Wins Glendinning-Allan Medal After Derby. (8 Words) Good. in 2026

Murphy Reid Wins Glendinning-Allan Medal After Derby 2026 The Western Derby has a habit of producing moments that stick. Saturday afternoon at Optus Stadium was no different. Fremantle's 22-point win over West Coast will live in highlight reels for a while — not just because of the margin, but because of the kid in the number 18 jumper who made the whole thing look easy. Murphy Reid, 19 years old, 183 centimeters, and playing just his 14th AFL game, collected 28 disposals, kicked two goals, and laid six tackles.

He was everywhere. The Glendinning-Allan Medal voters didn't hesitate. Unanimous decision. What the Glendinning-Allan Medal Actually Means For anyone outside Western Australia, the medal might sound like just another best-on-ground award.

It's not. Since 1995, it's been the only individual honor that matters in the state's biggest rivalry. Names like Ben Cousins, Matthew Pavlich, Nat Fyfe, and Elliot Yeo are etched on it. Winning it as a teenager?

That puts you in rare air. The medal honors Ross Glendinning and John Allan — the inaugural captains of the Eagles and Dockers respectively. It's voted on by a panel of media members immediately after each derby. No fan voting.

No coach input. Just people who watch footy for a living making a call. Reid's name now sits alongside them. Let that sink in.

How the Game Unfolded West Coast started better. They kicked the first three goals inside ten minutes, and the Eagles' faithful were making noise. Fremantle looked sluggish. Their forward entries were clunky.

The midfield was getting beaten at the clearance. Then Reid got involved. His first real impact came late in the first quarter — a tackle on the wing that forced a turnover, a sprint to the forward line, and a goal from 35 meters on a slight angle. The stadium shifted.

You could feel it. By half-time, he had 14 touches and a goal. The Dockers led by four points. The Third Quarter Masterclass This is where the medal was won.

Reid spent more time at centre bounce. He won six clearances in the term. Two were clean getaways; the others were messy, scrappy, the kind that set up scoring chains rather than highlight reels. His second goal came from a centre bounce win, a handball receive, two bounces, and a snap from the pocket under pressure.

The Eagles' defender had him lined up. Didn't matter. Fremantle kicked five goals to one in the quarter. Game over.

Why This Kid Is Different Plenty of 19-year-olds have good games. Few control a derby like a ten-year veteran. Reid's disposal efficiency sat at 82 percent. That's not a typo.

Eighty-two percent in a derby, under pressure, with the game on the line. He didn't panic. He didn't force things. When the Eagles tagged him — and they tried, sending Elliot Yeo to him at half-time — he just moved.

Found space. Created options for teammates. His football IQ is the standout trait. You see it in the way he positions himself before the ball arrives.

The way he reads the play two steps ahead. That's not teachable. That's instinct. The Draft Slide That Still Doesn't Make Sense Here's the part that still frustrates Fremantle supporters — and amuses the club's recruiting staff.

Reid went pick 23 in the 2024 draft. Twenty-three. Three Victorian clubs passed on him twice. One even had him rated as a midfielder but "worried about his endurance.

" He ran 14.2 kilometers Saturday. His GPS data showed 32 high-intensity efforts. The endurance question looks silly now. Fremantle's list manager, Peter Bell, has joked in press conferences that they send thank-you notes to the clubs who let him slide.

He's only half-joking. The Bigger Picture for Fremantle This wasn't just a good win. It was a statement. The Dockers have been building something quietly for two years.

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A young core — Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young, Jye Amiss, and now Reid — all 23 or under. They play a brand built on pressure, contested ball, and transition speed. Saturday was the clearest evidence yet that it's working. They sit third on the ladder with a 12-5 record.

A top-two finish is realistic. A flag? Not crazy to whisper it. Reid adds a dimension they've lacked: a genuine inside midfielder who can score.

Serong and Brayshaw are elite, but both are more accumulators than damaging scorers. Reid hits the scoreboard. That changes how opponents defend them. What West Coast Needs to Figure Out The Eagles are in a different place.

5-12. Rebuilding. They have pieces — Harley Reid (no relation), Elijah Hewett, Reuben Ginbey — but the gap in polish and system was obvious Saturday. Their midfield got outworked.

Their forward line lacked structure. Their defense conceded 112 points. The derby margin flattered them. Harley Reid, the Eagles' own teenage star, had 18 touches but just three clearances.

He'll be fine. He's 18. But the contrast with Murphy Reid was stark. One looked like a future Brownlow medallist.

The other looked like a kid still learning the level. That's not a criticism. It's just where they're at. Common Mistakes People Make About This Medal A few narratives always pop up after a derby.

Let's clear some up. "It's just one game. " True. But medals aren't awarded for seasons.

They're awarded for the 120 minutes on the day. Reid was the best player on the ground in the biggest game of the year. That counts. "He only won because Fremantle won.

" The medal often goes to a player on the winning side — but not always. Elliot Yeo won it in a losing side in 2021. Nat Fyfe won it in a draw in 2019. If West Coast had won and Harley Reid had 30 touches, he'd have the medal.

Fremantle won because Murphy Reid played like that. "He's too small to be an elite inside mid. " At 183cm and 78kg, he's not a bull. But he's strong for his size, has a low center of gravity, and uses his body better than players 10kg heavier.

The "too small" argument died when Caleb Serong won a Doig Medal at 184cm. It's outdated. What Comes Next for Murphy Reid The scary part for the rest of the competition? He's barely scratched the surface.

His tank is still growing. His strength is still developing. His decision-making — already elite — will only sharpen with experience. He's playing alongside two All-Australian midfielders who mentor him daily.

The ceiling is frighteningly high. Fremantle has him contracted until the end of 2028. They'll extend him before Christmas. No question.

The Brownlow Conversation Starts Now It's July. Too early for serious Brownlow talk. But if he averages 25 touches and a goal for the rest of the season — and Fremantle wins 16 games — he'll poll. Heavily.

The umpires love players who win the ball cleanly, move it fast, and don't infringe. Reid's free kick differential is +12 for the year. That's top-five in the league. He plays the game the way umpires want it played.

Don't be surprised if he's top-ten in the count come September. Practical Takeaways for Footy Fans If you're a Fremantle supporter: enjoy it. These moments don't come often.