 Reilly was also known as 'The Axe’ because of his defensive technique, which it was said allowed him to chop down opposition attackers like an axe.Reilly was a member of the Eastern Suburbs premiership-winning sides in 1974 and 1975.During the 1976 NSWRFL season, Reilly played as a prop forward for Eastern Suburbs in their unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge match against British champions St. Helens in Sydney.