Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) Eagles star Jack Graham hits back at Harley Reid, Tom Gross abuse

Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) star Jack Graham says he “couldn’t give a s...” what so-called footy fans say about his young teammates after Harley Reid and Tom Gross copped abuse in and after the loss to Richmond.

Gross was targeted by online trolls after he was caught holding the ball in the dying minute of the two-point loss, while Reid took issue with Tigers supporters near the boundary of the MCG.

Eagles coach Andrew McQualter called for more protection for players, while Graham said the players would continue to look after their rising star.

“For 20-year-old, what he can cop from over the fence, it’s pretty harsh. I suppose that’s what comes with being such a good footballer,” Graham said.

“Throughout his whole career, he’s gonna cop criticism and whatever people say, people drink beers and pies in the stand. They’ve probably never kicked a football, so they don’t know how hard it is.

“As long as Harley knows that he’s loved at this club, and I think he does, we’ll continue to support him, get around him and do whatever we can to make sure he plays his best football... We love Harley.”

Gross, the youngest player on the field against the Tigers, was targeted in the aftermath of the last-gasp defeat, labelled a “selfish c...” and a “f....ing clown” on social media.

Graham scoffed when asked about the criticism directed at the 18-year-old, saying he “couldn’t give a s... what they say”.

“We want him to keep putting himself in those positions. Take the game on. That’s his biggest strength,” Graham said.

“So the more he can do it, more we want him to do it, the more the fans will want him to do it, and he’ll have that opportunity again, and I’m sure he’ll nail it.

“He was in a great position to almost win us the game and coming on as a sub, he had 15 minutes and an exciting 15 minutes it was.

“Unfortunate for him, he got, he got mowed down... He a young player, first year, coming in, almost winning the game for us.

“So we get around Grossy, you know, the love and support for a first year to put us in that position. We’re very lucky to have him, and we’ll just keep supporting him.”

Graham said players and coaches were quick to check on Gross and let him know the loss was not on his shoulders.

“It definitely wasn’t all on him, not at all. Straight away you see Liam Ryan get around him, show him love and support, and that’s what we did straight after the game,” he said.

“Mini addressed it straight away. And we love Grossy for what he brings... He’s going to be a pretty special player.”

Graham also hit back at criticism that he or Harley Reid could have provided more support for Gross, as the two closest players on the ground leading up to the sensational Tom Brown tackle.

Prior to the chase down, Graham can be seen gesturing and instructing the fourth-gamer to kick for goal.

“It’s so hard out there. Fans yelling, everyone’s yelling. Yeah, it’s tough,” he admits.

“You can pause it multiple times, watch it from the grandstands, rewind. Could have done this. Could have done that,

“But when you’re in the heat of the moment, it’s pretty hard.”

Graham is yet to taste victory as an Eagle, and has individually lost 22 of his past 23 games at Waalitj Marawar and Richmond, including his past 16 games.

While he admits it was tough to come so close, the 27-year-old said the Eagles are “putting ourselves in positions to win the game.

“As much as I would have loved to sing the song for the first time and get a win over the old mob. It was difficult, but we’re in a position to win the game.

“We go again this week against the Saints and we look forward to the challenge.”