Murphy Reid’s first season in the AFL could hardly have gone better, and on Monday night the Fremantle Dockers youngster capped it off in stunning fashion by being named the 2024 AFL Rising Star. For the 19-year-old, the award was more than just recognition of a breakout campaign—it was the moment that confirmed his move interstate had been the right decision.
The dynamic half-forward polled 48 votes to secure the award, finishing 13 clear of Adelaide’s Daniel Curtin. Nine of the 10 judges marked him as the standout first-year player, with only Nathan Buckley opting to place Curtin and Melbourne’s Harvey Langford ahead of him.
For Fremantle, Reid’s win underlined one of the smartest moves of draft night. Taken with pick 17, after slipping lower than expected, the Dockers seized the opportunity to bring in a young player with both raw talent and maturity beyond his years. It meant Reid had to leave Victoria and relocate to Western Australia—something he admitted was daunting at first, but ultimately career-defining.
“I was very excited to go over there. It was going to be a little bit different moving away from home. I didn’t really know what to expect being a Melbourne boy all my life. I think it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Reid said after receiving his Rising Star medal.
The transition, he explained, had been as much about personal growth as it was about football. “It really got me out as a person as well as a footballer. I couldn’t be happier with where I am. Fremantle as a club and everyone involved, welcome me and my family. I’m very grateful.”
From the moment he arrived at the Dockers, Reid was determined to repay the faith shown in him by coach Justin Longmuir and the recruiting staff. “When I got there, I just wanted to prove Fremantle right for picking me and sort of make a statement. I’m pretty happy and pretty grateful that they backed me in and was lucky enough to play some pretty good footy.”
Breakout moment against Geelong
Reid’s debut match against Geelong will live long in Dockers’ folklore. In the second quarter of that game, he lit up the contest by kicking four goals in the space of six minutes, stamping himself as one to watch. By season’s end, he had racked up 25 goals and 21 goal assists, while ranking fourth at the club for score involvements.
Reflecting on that performance, Reid admitted it was a turning point. “It did give me a little bit of confidence knowing that I can do it at AFL level. and so early on in my career as well,” he said.
“It allowed me to be comfortable and relaxed. It probably did allow me to be confident I could play my game at AFL level. I’m pretty lucky that the coaching staff and the players encouraged me to be me as well. They like to say I got drafted for a reason and we’d like you to show what you got drafted for. A lot of the boys like that as well.”
Support from teammates and mentors
Reid credited his ability to adapt to a new position—playing predominantly as a half-forward—to the guidance of several established AFL names.
“I knew I was going to be playing forward, and I didn’t go up playing too much half forward. So I was pretty lucky to have the coaching staff and a lot of players that play that role like Michael Frederick, Sam Switkowski and Shai Bolton who all very good players of that position. They really helped me out with finding my way at the half forward line with it being pretty foreign to me at the start of the year.”
Despite his attacking output, Reid maintained a team-first focus. “I like to try and not worry about how many possessions I get and base my games off more what I do with the ball. I try and not waste a possession.”
Midfield ambitions for the future
While his first season as a half-forward has been a resounding success, Reid has already set his sights on moving into Fremantle’s midfield group, where he could learn alongside established stars Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Hayden Young.
That ambition will require additional work, but the teenager is not shying away from the challenge. “We discussed it a little bit in our exit meeting and I’ll probably do a bit of field work through there in the preseason. I’ll build up my craft at AFL level in the midfield, because that’s where I want to spend my time in the future. I reckon you’ll see me more there next year,” he said.
The Dockers’ coaches have made clear that Reid will need to build endurance and strength if he is to thrive in the centre square, but his willingness to improve suggests he could be the next cornerstone of Fremantle’s midfield.
A season that changed everything
Reid’s impact at Fremantle goes far beyond statistics. His enthusiasm, adaptability, and attacking flair have given fans renewed optimism about the club’s future. Just as importantly, Reid himself feels he has found a second home in Perth, something that could shape the next decade of his career.
His partnership with Charlize McRae, who was by his side at the awards ceremony, highlights how the move has enriched his personal life too. Away from football, Reid has embraced the challenge of living interstate, crediting the Dockers for making both him and his family feel welcome.
As Fremantle supporters reflect on the season, Reid’s story stands out as a beacon of hope. Drafted outside the top 10, asked to fill an unfamiliar role, and adjusting to life far from home, he not only survived but excelled. Now, with the Rising Star medal around his neck, he looks set to become a central figure in Fremantle’s push for long-term success.
The 2024 Rising Star award might just be the beginning for Murphy Reid. If his debut season is anything to go by, Fremantle has unearthed a player capable of shaping the future of the AFL.