| Tom Harley | ||
 Tom Harley
|
||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thomas Harley | |
| Date of birth | 18 July 1978 | |
| Place of birth | Adelaide, South Australia | |
| Recruited from | Norwood (SANFL)/Port Adelaide | |
| Draft | Zone/Concession, 1996 draft Port Adelaide |
|
| Height/Weight | 193cm / 95kg | |
| Position(s) | Centre Half Back / Defender | |
| Playing career1 | ||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) |
| 1998 1999–2009 |
Port Adelaide Geelong |
1(1) 197(11) |
|
1 Playing statistics to end of 2009 AFL Grand Final season . |
||
Thomas 'Tom' Harley (born 18 July 1978) is a former Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). A defender at 1.93 metres (6 ft 4 in) and 95 kilograms (209 lb), Harley was a dual premiership captain of the club.
After a successful junior career which culminated with selection in the under-18 All-Australian team, Harley was drafted to the Port Adelaide Football Club as a zone selection. Although an inaugural member of the club, Harley struggled to force his way into the senior team and spent much of his early years playing for Norwood in the SANFL. After making just one appearance for Port Adelaide, Harley was traded to the Geelong Football Club in exchange for the 37th draft pick in the 1998 AFL Draft.
Harley quickly established himself within the Geelong defense and received a range of accolades and club honours, including multiple Best Clubman awards. Prior to the 2007 AFL season, Harley was appointed club captain and went on to enjoy great individual and team success. Harley led the club to its first premiership in 44 years during 2007, and became a dual premiership captain after their victory in 2009. In between, he achieved All-Australian honours as vice-captain of the team, and won the AFLPA Best Captain Award. Harley also participated in the 2008 AFL Hall of Fame all-star game, and was inducted into the Geelong Football Club Hall of Fame.
Harley is noted for being a leading ambassador to various community campaigns, including the anti-violence program 'Just Think' and Barwon Health. Since his retirement as a player, Harley has undertaken various roles in the sporting industry: he is currently working as a project consultant to the Western Sydney Football Club, a sports commentator with the Channel 7 football team, and an assistant coach and mentor with the AIS-AFL Academy.
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Tom Harley was born to Rick Harley and Trish Rofe in the city of Adelaide, South Australia.[1] Harley was a talented junior footballer growing up, and played much of his junior football for the Walkerville Junior Football Club and St Peter's College from the under-11s to under-15s.[2] Despite being regularly overlooked for the elite South Australian junior state squads, Harley continued to follow the rest of the squad to training sessions.[1] Harley's persistence was rewarded when he was called up to the under-18s squad as a late injury replacement a week prior to the National AFL Championships. Playing at centre half back, Harley's performance in defense earned him end-of-year All-Australian honours and brought him to the attention of AFL scouts.[1]
Following their entry into the AFL, Port Adelaide drafted Harley to the club as part of their zone selections, which entitled them to recruit uncontracted players from the SANFL prior to the 1996 National Draft. Struggling to break into the Port Adelaide senior team, Harley often found himself playing in the SANFL reserves for Norwood during the 1997 season. There, he helped the reserves team reach the Grand Final, where they were defeated by the Port Magpies. Harley's contributions in the reserves team throughout the year saw him promoted to the senior Norwood side, where he featured in two of their SANFL finals before missing selection for the Grand Final.
Harley continued to ply his trade in the reserves during the 1998 season, before being rewarded mid-season with a senior team debut in round fourteen against Geelong. The team opted to use Harley sparingly off the bench, with Harley's only meaningful contribution being a late goal scored with his only kick for the game. Returning to the Norwood reserves team, Harley helped the team reach their second successive Grand Final appearance against the Port Magpies and capture the reserves premiership. However, after struggling to break into the senior side, Harley was traded to Geelong during the off-season for the 37th pick in the 1998 National Draft.
Harley made his debut for Geelong in round fourteen of the 1999 AFL season against Adelaide, and kept his position in the senior team for the final nine games of the home-and-away campaign. The following season, Harley helped the Cats achieve a 12-9-1 record to qualify for the finals series. Harley made his finals debut in the First Elimination Final against Hawthorn, where he gathered 7 disposals and took 2 marks in the Cats' nine-point loss. Harley's consistency throughout the year, during which he played in all 23 games for the first time in his career, was rewarded when he won the club's Most Determined and Dedicated Player Award. Harley made his 50th senior appearance for the club the following season, and again featured in all 22 games over the next two seasons. Despite the club's inability to qualify for the finals series, Harley's consistency in the backline was recognised with successive top five placings in the club best and fairest award. During this period Harley was also awarded the Coach's Award and Best Clubman Award respectively.
At the beginning of 2007, Harley was appointed as club captain of Geelong. Harley was recommended by the club's board of directors following a review of the football department the previous year. The club noted that Harley "was a player who would dig deep and stand up when it counts",[3] and was also chosen to help improve communication links between players, coaching staff and the board of directors.[3]
Harley endured a difficult start to his first season as captain, as he ruptured a finger tendon during the club's round one loss to the Western Bulldogs.[4] After undergoing surgery on his finger, Harley made his return through the club's reserves team in the VFL but failed to earn a recall to the senior team until round ten. After playing the majority of his career at Geelong as a centre half back, Harley struggled to find his niche in the defence following the emergence of the younger Matthew Egan in the key position. He soon adjusted himself as a floating defender capable of playing on small forwards, and retained his position in the side after achieving career-best averages of 14 disposals and 5 marks a game.[5] Harley helped the team compile a 18-4 record at the conclusion of the home and away season, earning them their eighth McClelland Trophy and securing first position on the ladder leading into the finals series. After wins against North Melbourne and Collingwood in the Qualifying and Preliminary finals respectively, Geelong earned a spot in the Grand Final against Harley's former team Port Adelaide. Collecting 13 disposals and 7 marks, Harley helped the club to an AFL-record 119-point win and secure its first premiership in 44 years. Harley became the first Geelong premiership captain since Fred Wooller in 1963, and achieved the rare distinction of becoming a premiership captain in his first year at the helm.[1]
Harley's leadership qualities and influence on the club as captain was commended early on in the season after his handling of teammate Steve Johnson's off-field discretions. Johnson was banished from the team during the pre-season and demoted to the reserves for the first five games of the season. However, he successfully returned to the team and finished the season as a Norm Smith Medallist and All-Australian. Harley's leadership influence on the team was reflected in his finishing fourth in the AFLPA Best Captain award during his first year at the helm. He was also awarded life membership of the Geelong Football Club following his 150th team appearance in the round sixteen win against the Western Bulldogs, and named in the end-of-season South Australian State of Origin team.
Harley's achievements at the club were recognised prior to the 2008 AFL season when he was inducted into the Geelong Football Club Hall of Fame. Following the success of 2007, Harley and the club were expected to feature prominently in the 2008 finals series once more. For the first time in his career, Harley featured in all 22 games during the home-and-away campaign and set career-highs of 14 marks (round three) and 14 handpasses (Preliminary Final) in the process. During the season, he was also selected to participate in the AFL Hall of Fame all-star game.[6] Geelong compiled a 20-2 record to once again capture the McClelland Trophy and qualify for the finals series in first position on the ladder. After successive wins against St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, Harley led the team to their second straight Grand Final appearance against Hawthorn. During the Grand Final, Harley suffered mild concussion following a collision prior to the half-time break. As a result, he struggled to contribute for the rest of the game as Geelong lost by 26 points.
Despite the club's Grand Final defeat, Harley collected a range of individual accolades following his performances throughout the season. He earned his first All-Australian honour and was named as vice-captain of the team. Harley was also recognised by the AFLPA, as he was awarded the AFLPA Best Captain award in just his second season at the helm. After setting career-highs of 209 handballs and 378 disposals during the season, Harley was awarded a career-high seven Brownlow Medal votes during the count and named once again in the South Australian State of Origin team. He was also awarded the Geelong Football Club Best Clubman award for a record third time, and named a co-winner of the the club’s Community Champion award alongside teammates James Kelly and David Wojcinski.
At the conclusion of the 2009 season, Harley announced his retirement from AFL football. Harley cited his inability to physically meet the demands of AFL football as his reason for departing the game.[7] Harley retired as one of the most successful captains in Geelong's history: during his three years as captain, Harley led the club to a club-high two premierships—equalling the accomplishments of Fred Flanagan[8]—and compiled a 49-7 win-loss record.[9] His legacy at the club was pronounced by Thompson as being "one of the great captains in the history of the Geelong Football Club".[7]
Harley's achievements during his playing career were recognised when he was nominated for a record four awards during the AFL Player's Association Madden Medal night: the Madden Medal, the Football Achievement award, the Personal Development award, and the Community Spirit award.[6]
In the weeks following his retirement, Harley was sounded out by the AFL's newest team, Western Sydney, to join the club in an off-field role. On December 4th, 2009, it was announced that Harley would join the club as a project consultant, serving on committee board and the football department in a part-time role.[10]
Harley later also joined the AIS-AFL Academy as an assistant coach and mentor.[11] Prior to the 2010 AFL season, it was further announced that Harley would join the Channel 7 network football commentary team, replacing Nathan Buckley in the leading special comments role.[12] Harley admitted that his previous experience as a regular panellist on the football program One Week at a Time[13] during his playing days had fuelled an interest in working within the media industry.[14]
During his playing career, Harley was considered as one of the league's "most respected players"[11][6] and the "general of the most miserly defence in the league".[15] Harley began his early career as a key position player at centre half back, where he used his physical size to great effect. However, during his later years he played as a floating defender capable of playing on small forwards.[5] Despite his personal admission to not being "the greatest player"[1], Harley's play-reading ability saw him recognised as one of the league's best at intercepting opposition passes inside his defensive 50m arc.[15]
He led with great dignity and a commitment to the common cause. He did not give Geelong its brilliance. Rather, his gift was to enable that brilliance to flourish on terms that were completely understood by every footballer in a blue-and-white hooped jumper.
Harley's leadership skills have been consistently praised during his time in the league. Teammate Gary Ablett complimented Harley as being "very approachable ... (and) the key to gelling the team together".[1] Many commentators have attributed his leadership influence as being a key factor in Geelong's recent premiership success.[6]
Harley is the second of three children and has two brothers, elder brother Sam and younger brother Ben. He is married to Sydney-based journalist Felicity Harley (née Percival), whom he met while being interviewed for an article in Cosmopolitan.[17] She is the editor for Women's Health magazine, and was frequently seen accompanying Harley to games.[17] Mrs Harley also made guest article contributions on the official AFL website, providing insight on the pairs' private life.[18]
After starting his Bachelor of Commerce degree at an Adelaide institution in 1996, Harley transferred to Deakin University and graduated 11 years later in 2007.[19]
Harley was one of 21 players from the club who witnessed the 2002 Bali bombings first-hand during an off-season holiday to the popular tourist destination. Harley and his fellow team mates were preparing to venture to the Sari night club just moments prior to the terrorist attack.[20]
In 2008, Harley was named an ambassador for an anti-booze-fuelled violence campaign run by the Geelong Advertiser newspaper, titled "Just Think".[21] As part of his ambassadorial role, Harley has appeared in numerous advertisements alongside fellow Geelong teammates and ambassadors James Kelly and David Wojcinski.[22] He is also an active health ambassador for Barwon Health.[6]
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Goals | Behinds | Kicks | Marks | Handballs | Disposals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Port Adelaide | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 | Geelong | 37 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 27 | 19 | 78 |
| 2000 | Geelong | 37 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 175 | 75 | 69 | 244 |
| 2001 | Geelong | 37 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 154 | 81 | 84 | 238 |
| 2002 | Geelong | 2 | 22 | 3 | 4 | 201 | 94 | 89 | 290 |
| 2003 | Geelong | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 126 | 69 | 70 | 196 |
| 2004 | Geelong | 2 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 221 | 132 | 108 | 329 |
| 2005 | Geelong | 2 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 91 | 64 | 45 | 136 |
| 2006 | Geelong | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 60 | 71 | 159 |
| 2007 | Geelong | 2 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 134 | 92 | 100 | 234 |
| 2008 | Geelong | 2 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 169 | 126 | 209 | 378 |
| 2009 | Geelong | 2 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 84 | 60 | 98 | 182 |
| Totals | 198 | 12 | 6 | 1503 | 880 | 962 | 2465 | ||
| Brownlow Medal votes | |
| Season | Votes |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| Total | 12 |
Team
Individual
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Steven King |
Geelong F.C. captain 2007–2009 |
Succeeded by Cameron Ling |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by None |
Geelong F.C. Most Determined and Most Dedicated Player Award 2000 |
Succeeded by Steven King |
| Preceded by None |
Geelong F.C. Coach's Award 2001 |
Succeeded by Matthew Scarlett |
| Preceded by None Brenton Sanderson Matthew Egan |
Geelong F.C Best Clubman Award 2002 2006 2008 |
Succeeded by James Rahilly Matthew Egan Brad Ottens |
| Preceded by Tom Lonergan |
Geelong F.C. Community Champion Award 2008 |
Succeeded by Mathew Stokes |
| Preceded by Jonathan Brown |
AFLPA Best Captain Award 2008 |
Succeeded by Jonathan Brown |
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  | Just Think campaign reaches new heights - Just Think campaign reaches new heights - The Geelong Advertiser |
| | "Geelong captain Tom Harley engaged to journalist" - Geelong captain Tom Harley engaged to journalist | Herald Sun |
| | "One Week at a Time website" - One Week at a Time | Channel Ten - Watch Full Episodes and Video |
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