WEST Coast co-captain Liam Duggan is urging Harley Reid to continue playing on the edge, despite the No.1 draft pick falling foul of the Match Review panel yet again.
Reid was slapped with a $3125 sanction for engaging in a melee/wrestle during Sunday's 65-point loss to Carlton.
The fine was much higher than usual given it was Reid's third offence this year - a rare occurrence for a player in their first year.
The 19-year-old was also suspended for two matches earlier this season for a dangerous sling tackle on St Kilda's Darcy Wilson.
That penalty ruled Reid out of the running for the AFL's Rising Star award.
Reid has instantly become one of West Coast's feistiest players, with his aggressive attack on the ball and the man winning him legions of fans across the country.
The Eagles are keen for Reid to maintain the rage.
"I can't question the way Harley goes about his footy," Duggan said.
"I think he plays the right way, and I think there's people coming after him too, and he's responded a couple of times.
"I keep encouraging him to play on the edge. It's not ill discipline. We all love the way he plays. I'll stick by him."
Reid's combative nature and willingness to get his hands dirty are best summed up by his free-kick count, which stands at 40-44 for-and-against.
Three weeks ago against Gold Coast, Reid gave away seven free kicks and didn't win one himself.
Often the free kicks Reid gives away come from holding-the-ball decisions - a risk that comes with his willingness to take on opponents with audacious fend-offs and bullocking runs.
When rivals do catch Reid with the ball, they let him know about it with harsh words or extra shoves.
"I can see why teams are putting a little bit of extra time into him, but I think he enjoys it to a degree as well," Duggan said.
"He's having a lot of fun out there.
"I don't think he's been unfairly targeted (by umpires or opponents)."
West Coast will finish its season with a tough trip to GMHBA Stadium to take on Geelong on Saturday.
The Eagles will be without Tom Barrass (back) for a fourth straight game, while fellow key defender Jeremy McGovern has also been ruled out after undergoing thumb surgery.
Geelong (14-8) will secure a top-four spot with victory over West Coast, and the absence of McGovern and Barrass has further boosted the Cats' hopes.
Barrass still has three years remaining on his contract, but it appears increasingly likely he will leave West Coast at the end of the season.
Hawthorn looms as his most likely destination after Barrass met with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell in Perth last month.
