Sport
28 January, 2023
Former Gold Coast Suns star set to soar with Manunda Hawks
TRAILBLAZING AFL Cairns junior Jarrod Harbrow will return home this season, with the former Gold Coast Suns champion set to take the field for the Manunda Hawks in 2023.
One of Far North Queensland’s most accomplished athletes, the dashing defender capped off a glittering 262-game career in 2021, claiming the Suns’ best-and-fairest in 2018.
Since retiring, the highly respected leader has worked hard behind the scenes mentoring some of the game’s most promising First Nations stars and working with the Suns in various roles.
The silky left-footer said the chance to play at Hawks, where his brother, Marc, won a premiership in 2011, proved too good of an opportunity to pass up.
“It’s something that I always wanted to do post my AFL footy career,” Harbrow, said.
“I’ve got a strong connection with the Hawks. I don’t know how many games I’ll be able to play.
“Some of that will depend on my work schedule.
“I’ll be able to bring the family up and get the kids involved, which will be great,” he said. Harbrow’s skills and experience will help the Hawks following a down season in 2022, coach Wayne Siekman said.
“The chance to learn from someone who’s not only played at the highest level but been one of the better players in the AFL for more than a decade is incredible,” Siekman said.
“Not only that, but Jarrod’s character speaks to the values we have as a club. He is the ideal recruit in every respect.”
Harbrow played junior footy at both Hawks and South Cairns Cutters before moving to Victoria as a teenager to better his chances of getting drafted.
He made his senior debut for Cutters at 15, playing against Cairns City Cobras at Holloways Beach.
“I got my start at Souths in a lot of ways, and obviously, I have a special connection to both clubs,” the proud Yirrganydji and Kuku Yalanji man said.
“But coming to Hawks this year just felt right to me.”
During his time in Cairns, Harbrow said he hopes to guide the next generation of elite young footballers as they develop into stars.
“Making it to the AFL as a Cairns junior is pretty different now to when I was coming through the ranks,” he said.
“If anything, there are greater opportunities through the Suns Academy and other pathways that weren’t there previously.
“Hopefully, by coming back and playing in Cairns, I can pass onto others what I learned and guide them on their journey to becoming an elite footballer as well,” Harbrow said.
Harbrow, who will remain based in southeast Queensland, played last season for the Broadbeach Cats in the QAFL.
