Fremantle have moved quickly to lock away Murphy Reid, handing the AFL Rising Star contender a two-year contract extension that ties him to the club until the end of 2029.
Reid announced himself as a star of the future when he kicked four goals in four minutes against Geelong during his AFL debut in round one.
The 18-year-old has kicked 16 goals across 14 games this season, and is among the favourites to take out this year's Rising Star award, along with Brisbane's Levi Ashcroft and Essendon's Archie Roberts.
Reid is from Victoria, and had only made one brief visit to Perth before being snared by Fremantle with pick No.17 in the 2024 national draft.
The sunny Perth lifestyle and the rising optimism at Fremantle have killed off the chance for any Melbourne-based clubs to lure Reid home in the coming years.
"I'm loving my time here in Perth,' Reid told AAP.
"It's a lot more chill, and the lifestyle is great. The weather's nice, and I can still go down to the beach in winter.
"Freo has been great for me. They've let me be myself and let me be confident.
"I've had so many boys wrap their arms around me and taught me the ways."
Reid's creativity has been a shining light in his debut season, with the teenager already one of the club's most potent players in setting up others for goals.
"I guess I like to be a bit outside the box," Reid said.
"It's sort of one of my points of differences, I guess."
So how could a player of his calibre could slip all the way to pick No.17 in the draft?
"It's not my question to answer," Reid said with a laugh.
"But everything happens for a reason, and I couldn't be happier with the way it went."
Reid grew up supporting Richmond, with the likes of Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt among his idols.
"I loved the way Dusty moved," Reid said.
"I loved the way he could win a game for his club. He's one of the greats.
"I loved Jack as well. I always had his number eight on my back, and I loved Cotchin as well.
"And also Shai Bolton (who moved to Fremantle this year). It was weird playing with him at the start. Now he's a mate of mine."
Fremantle are on a five-game winning streak, and will be aiming to continue their hot run when they host St Kilda at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
