Jarrod is Suns’ voice of reason

JARROD Harbrow still straps his own ankles, when he speaks he has a captive audience and he will likely have the Gold Coast club’s community award named after him one day.

Suns co-captain David Swallow has lauded the influence of the Gold Coast halfback ahead of his 250th AFL game, detailing the incredible impact the fellow foundation player has had on the club.

“He has been one of the mainstays of the place for the entirety of the club’s history,” Swallow said.

“Obviously, what he has brought on field, that consistency and reliability but then everything he has done in the community and especially with the indigenous boys and the education he has provided for the whole club in that area. He has been massive.”

As a player Swallow said Harbrow’s skills often changed the outcome of games.

Swallow could not fathom how many sticky situations Harbrow has got the club out of in defence thanks to his game sense, positioning, tackles and his run and dash with footy in hand.

“You don’t often see him getting beaten one-on-one,” Swallow said.

“It’s not just what he does at ground level with the footy but he also beats his opponent in the air or comes off his man and intercepts.

“He is also quite strong, so he is hard at it. He loves all the hard parts of the game as well as that flashy stuff he can do.”

“Between quarters you won’t see him imposing himself in conversations but when he speaks, players listen.

“When he does speak, everyone’s ears prick up and they listen to what he has to say because you know it’s coming from a good place and you want to hear what he has to say and the knowledge he has,” Swallow said.

“He has probably the most respect in the team in that sense.”

Off the field Harbrow’s influence cannot be measured.

Swallow said the decision

WHEN HE DOES SPEAK EVERYONE’S EARS PRICK UP AND THEY LISTEN.

SUNS CO-CAPTAIN DAVID SWALLOW

by club bosses to recruit the former Western Bulldogs player in their initial list build was one of the best decisions ever made at the Suns.

A mentor to all Harbrow most recently helped Gold Coast players and staff get a better understanding of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“If you want to learn more and want to have a chat about it, he is certainly keen to give his opinion and tell you what he thinks,” Swallow said.

“He is someone I went and talked to going through the Black Lives Matter movement to gain some understanding.”