Harley Reid's decision to knock back offers to return to Victoria - at least for now - and re-sign with West Coast for a further two years ended feverish specuation over his future.
It has now come to light just how "obsessed" Hawthorn was in attempting to lure Reid to the Hawks and the magnitude of its offer to the 20-year-old.
A raft of Victorian clubs were linked with the former No.1 draft pick throughout 2025 before Reid made the decision to commit to West Coast's rebuild through 2028.
AFL Media's Callum Twomey has explained some of the jaw-dropping details of the Hawks' offer that would have secured Reid through his early 30s.
MORE: Silvagni, TDK, Nasiah, Ryan - The story behind St Kilda's spending spree
“Harley Reid obviously re-signed last week for two more years until the end of 2028,” Twomey told AFL’s Gettable.
“Throughout that period we spoke about Hawthorn’s interest in him and I said they were obsessed.
“There some details about this interest from them that I want to share.
“We can say they had an 11-year deal on the table for Harley Reid worth around the $1.7 (million per year) mark I understand.
“Add next year’s CBA deal and that ends up being around $18 million, $19 million or even $20 million mark.
“That gets to the biggest deal ever in football by some way."
It would have been an extraordinary commitment for a player that has undoubtedly shown impressive signs, but is still some way from one of the best midfielders in the competition.
It must have been tempting for the Tongala youngster.
“Harley Reid knew that (offer), he saw that, he considered it and he re-signed with the Eagles for two more years, no strings attached," Twomey added.
“It just shows how keen the Hawks were to get this guy to Waverley.”