Harbrow gives his all to Suns

AFL Cairns product Jarrod Harbrow says he has given everything to the Gold Coast Suns and has been rewarded with a fresh two-year contract. The 30-year-old, who played juniors with Manunda and South Cairns, was the first to 100 and 150 games and was this year named the club’s first playing life member. “I’ve really given myself and everything I have to the footy club. I’m invested as much as I’ve ever been,” he said.

ANDREW HAMILTON AFL Cairns product Jarrod Harbrow says he has given everything to the Gold Coast Suns and has been rewarded with a fresh two-year contract.

The 30-year-old, who played juniors with Manunda and South Cairns, was the first to 100 and 150 games and was this year named the club’s first playing life member.

“I’ve really given myself and everything I have to the footy club,’’ he said.

“I’m really invested, much as I’ve ever been.”

The dashing defender was questioning his future early this season and was interested in expanding on his mentoring work with young indigenous athletes but said he has found a way to make the various aspects of his life complement each other.

Harbrow and veteran Michael Rischitelli are the only as players left of the established recruits brought to the club for the debut season of 2011 and although Rischitelli is also set to play on, it will be for just one more year.

Harbrow admits it is his passion for the club that convinced him to push on for two more years and potentially be part of their first finals campaign.

“Getting the balance of home life and family life and footy and training down pat and the work I’m doing in the community, that helps a lot,’’ he said.

“The balance has been the most important thing.

“That’s allowed me to come to training fresh and play freely.’’

Rischitelli will play on in 2019.

Suns list manager Craig Cameron said the club was desperate not to lose the veteran’s experience as they begin a rebuild.

“Michael is a really important part of our playing group and highly respected by his fellow teammates,” Cameron said.

“We’re pleased he wants to play on next year, he will continue to be a great asset.”

After an injury-interrupted past two seasons in which he managed just 16 games, Rischitelli missed just one game throughout 2018 and said he was now looking forward to playing a 16th season in the AFL.

“It’s great to see the direction the club is heading under coach Stuart Dew, and I’m excited by the opportunity to be able to play on in 2019,” he said.