West Coast Eagles icon Dean Kemp’s tip to Harley Reid on debut day: ‘Just enjoy it and have fun’

West Coast legend Dean Kemp has offered some simple advice to teen sensation Harley Reid ahead of his much-anticipated AFL debut: “Just enjoy it and have fun”. The 18-year-old will line up for his first game against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday after one of the most publicised build-ups ever with the No.1 draft pick admitting even he is feeling a few nerves despite his usually “super chill” demeanour. Kemp, a two-time premiership player and Norm Smith medallist with the Eagles in his own 243-game AFL career said he still vividly remembers how nervous he was as a skinny youngster when he lined up on Collingwood hard-man Darren Millane on debut in 1990. He urged Reid to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the experience. “(Your first AFL game) can be overwhelming and daunting,” Kemp said. “But when you get out there on the ground and start to play a bit of footy, you blend in. “My advice to Harley would be ‘just enjoy it and have fun’. I can’t wait to see how he goes.” Kemp also urged the Eagles faithful to have patience with both Reid and the rebuilding team as they look to bounce back from two horror seasons that have seen them finish last (2023) and second last (2022). “We will improve slightly, but (success) won’t happen straight away,” Kemp said. “That’s going to be the painful thing. I know we’ve had a couple of bad years, but we need to hang in there. We have been very successful over a number of years, but now we have to bide our time. “Let the new kids make the team their own, and grow it into their own thing.” Despite the Eagles hitting rock bottom, Kemp said he sees similarities between the Eagles of 2024 and the early days of his era, with both squads featuring an injection of youth. “The young guys at the club are going to be awesome,” he said. “They are building something special at the Eagles. But we need to be patient. “You can’t expect too much from Harley and the other young guys straight up. Give these young guys a chance to get started.”