Damning footage of Harley Reid emerges after West Coast coach's angry post-match comments

Kane Cornes has singled out West Coast prodigy Harley Reid after the loss to Carlton on the weekend after interim coach Jarrod Schofield called out his team's effort in the post-match interview. West Coast were looking for their third straight AFL win for the first time this year against a team battling a long list of injuries.

However, Carlton - led by Patrick Cripps - dominated the Eagles in Perth to leave the fanbase once again questioning the team's efforts after a tumultuous season. And coach Schofield blasted a number of unnamed individuals for not following the tactics laid out before the game.

"We gave tasks to individuals and they didn't follow. And when you give a task to someone and they don't execute their role, you are searching for other players to step up in that space, that really shouldn't have had to," Schofield said.

"That is the accountability for that individual to make sure they get it done. Certain individuals need to to take ownership of messaging and performances from that game."

Cornes labelled the Eagles' effort as 'pathetic' and also pinpointed Reid's performance as one of the examples Schofield may have been singling out. The former Port Adelaide player pointed to a clip of Reid being left behind by Cripps as an effort area that let the Eagles down.

"I suspect he is talking about Harley Reid," Cornes said on Footy on Nine. "Look at how much distance Cripps puts on Reid just in that one couple of seconds piece of play. Incredibly difficult, I understand, but if he had tasked Harley Reid with that job...and we are guessing a little bit...but Cripps destroyed him yesterday and there was no accountability."

Cornes was told he has been hard on the 19-year-old star all year, but it didn't stop him pinpointing one more moment after he accused Reid of playing for free-kicks. "I didn't like this either. Playing for free-kicks...he is a highly talented player. I think my comments around Harley Reid have been justified. But it wasn't just the young players, it was the senior players that got to take a lot of responsibility for yesterday."

Carlton earn vital victory for AFL finals push

Carlton's win puts them in the box seat to qualify in eighth position for the finals. And coach Michael Voss praised his team's effort to bounce back after a number of straight losses.

"It was huge," Voss said. "It's been a big week. From taking stock, I guess, after the game (against Hawthorn) and trying to count the bodies, it was just a really hard week."What I did say was we'll find out a little bit about us as a footy team and as a footy club.

"I just thought the response was outstanding. It was a really well-connected performance. We didn't rely on one individual to get it done, although there were some individual outstanding performances. But it took a squad. And when I mean it took a squad, it took the whole squad to be able to get that one done."

Patrick Cripps surges ahead as Brownlow Medal favourite

While the Eagles lacked leadership, the Blues had Cripps steering the ship. The Carlton captain produced 35 possessions and 10 clearances as he dominated the game, while George Hewett also racked up 35 disposals. There were suggestions Carlton's team in Perth was a 'second-string' outfit due to the injuries mounting, but Cripps led from the front as Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow were missing for the Blues.

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And Dwayne Russell claimed Cripps was writing history and cementing himself as one the Blues' greatest ever. “This is how legends are made,” Russell said on Fox Sports commentary. “You think about Patrick Cripps, they’ve come here no Curnow, McKay, no Saad, De Koning, Cerra’s out, Boyd. And this man has taken control. They’ve put taggers on him – it hasn’t worked.

“The Superman has put his cape on… and they are coming with him.” Cripps is also the firm favourite to win his second Brownlow Medal after potentially earning himself three votes after a standout display. The Blues need another standout display from their leader next week - to confirm finals footy - with Cripps looking to add another individual medal to his 2022 Brownlow achievement.