Suns club champion Jarrod Harbrow reveals how close he came to retiring and why he played on

SUNS club champion Jarrod Harbrow has spoken for the first time about how close he came to retiring and what convinced him to sign a new two-year deal with Gold Coast.

Touk Miller (left), Jarrod Harbrow and Lachie Weller at the Gold Coast Suns club champion awards on Saturday, September 1, at Southport Sharks. Picture: Supplied.

SUNS club champion Jarrod Harbrow has spoken for the first time about how close he came to retiring and what convinced him to sign a new two-year deal with Gold Coast.

The respected defender and foundation Suns player said the on-field results of Gold Coast’s first eight years in the AFL had taken its toll.

But Harbrow declared his off-field work with his indigenous academy had given him renewed motivation to help turn the club around.

“Conversations came up about those things,” Harbrow said.

“I thought about it but it would have been pretty selfish of me. I have a family and I feel like I have so much more to give back.

SUNS CROWN NEW CLUB CHAMP

WHAT’S NEXT FOR DELISTED SUNS?

NICHOLLS CLEAR ON FUTURE DESPITE AFL ABSENCE

“(Retirement) did cross my mind a bit. Just the fact of how the club and our results have been over the previous eight years.

“I am desperate to turn this club around and we are all owe it each other.

“I think it was just the off-field work I’m doing that kept me going.

“That keeps me motivated and that keeps me looking forward to it.

“I wake up looking forward to what I’m going to do next with the indigenous academy boys. “That kept me going and I had a few conversations with the club on where I can take that so it was a really good future that I saw that I can pursue.

Touk Miller (left), Jarrod Harbrow and Lachie Weller at the Gold Coast Suns club champion awards on Saturday, September 1, at Southport Sharks. Picture: Supplied.

“My form was still pretty good too so I would have been mad not to play on.”

Harbrow got two standing ovations a the club champion awards on Saturday at Southport Sharks on a night where he was presented with four awards.

The 30-year-old also won the player’s player and community awards while he was also officially presented with life membership of the club.

Harbrow said he was humbled to win the award as he reflected on an 11 year career that began at the Western Bulldogs in 2007.

“I am really proud of a lot of the hard work I have put in, not just this year but over a number of years, since I have been up here,” Harbrow said.

Jarrod Harbrow of the Suns runs with the ball during the round 20 AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and the Gold Coast Suns at Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 5, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.

“It’s a massive reward I take great pride in. I’m really humbled to be playing footy for starters and to be receiving this award is a massive bonus.

“We have all got so much all to offer. Not just as footy players but we have so much more to offer in life.

“There are always more people out there who need more help from all different walks of life. “It’s been a great journey. It’s continuing and I’m just trying to find my place and what I am meant to do.”

Harbrow finished on top of the leaderboard with 390 votes to win the award ahead of teammates Touk Miller (351) and Lachie Weller (336).

Co-captain Tom Lynch, who has requested to be traded, attended the club’s post-season events throughout the week as well as the club champion awards where coach Stuart Dew thanked the key forward for his contribution to the club.

GET FULL DIGITAL ACCESS FOR $3 A WEEK

2018 Gold Coast Suns Club Champion Top Ten

1st — Jarrod Harbrow 390

2nd — Touk Miller 351

3rd — Lachie Weller 336

4th — Rory Thompson 316

5th — Alex Sexton 303

6th — David Swallow 300

7th — Aaron Young 261

=8th — Jarrod Witts 251

=8th — Nick Holman 251

10th — Jack Martin 249