Scott Harding

[Lady Lawrence]

Over to you - loyallion

[loyallion]

Thankyou LL for doing this,

Ok heres some info on Scott harding I found on the Lions site.

http://i16.tinypic.com/35ndni1.jpg

Guernsey Number: 45


Height 181cm


Weight: 78kg


Recruited From: Mt Gravatt (QLD)


Date of Birth: 19 June 1986




Player Statistics - Scott Harding
Season
AFL 2006 Premiership Season

Round Date vs. K H P M HO T FF FA G B
Round 1 01/04/2006 Geelong 7 5 12 4 0 1 1 1 0 0
Round 2 08/04/2006 Essendon 5 6 11 2 0 4 0 0 0 0
Round 3 13/04/2006 St Kilda 2 9 11 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
Round 7 13/05/2006 Hawthorn 1 5 6 1 0 2 0 0 0 0
Round 10 03/06/2006 Collingwood 3 6 9 1 0 2 0 0 0 0
Round 12 17/06/2006 Western Bulldogs 5 7 12 3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Round 13 01/07/2006 Carlton 7 3 10 0 0 1 2 0 1 3
Round 14 08/07/2006 Melbourne 5 7 12 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
Round 15 15/07/2006 Kangaroos 7 2 9 2 0 0 0 0 0 1
Round 16 22/07/2006 Hawthorn 10 6 16 5 0 2 1 0 0 0
Round 17 29/07/2006 Essendon 4 7 11 2 0 1 0 1 0 0
Round 18 06/08/2006 Geelong 4 4 8 4 0 3 0 1 1 0
Round 19 12/08/2006 Richmond 5 2 7 2 0 4 1 1 0 0
Round 22 02/09/2006 St Kilda 8 16 24 6 0 1 0 0 0 2



CAREER BRIEFS
Previous Clubs: Morningside
Draft Details: 2004 Rookie Draft
AFL Debut: Rd 1, 2006 v Geelong, Skilled Stadium
AFL Finals: 0

From being content with a spot in the side to play Essendon in the NAB Cup, to an AFL debut at Geelong in Round 1, Brisbane Lions promoted rookie Scott Harding certainly had whirlwind start to the season.

Harding, 19, entered 2006 just as he had the year before, on the Lions rookie list and hoping to play a senior pre-season game.

But he quickly found himself re-assessing his goals. Firstly because of a stunning best-on-ground 28 possession debut against the Bombers in a thrilling Round 1 NAB Cup win at Carrara.

And secondly because of the tragic knee injury that befell midfielder Richard Hadley, which saw Harding promoted onto the senior list. Days later, the Morningside product found himself making his premiership season debut against Geelong on a cold and blustery day at Skilled Stadium.

"It happened very quickly actually. I didn't even get time to think about it - which is probably a good thing," Harding said

"The NAB Cup game come up pretty quick and it just flew from there. Next thing I knew it was Round 1."

Harding was told by Leigh Matthews early in the week leading up to Round 1 that he would be both promoted and playing in the Lions' season opener.

The good news came with a warning about making the transition from pre-season to season proper and Harding says his coach couldn't have been more on the money - particularly when it came to Skilled Stadium

"Leigh said to me before that game that there was a big step up from playing Round 1 NAB Cup to Round 1 in the AFL home and away season. And he was definitely right," Harding recalled.

"There was a lot more pressure and it seemed a lot more serious. I think everyone paid a lot more attention to the game, the intensity picked up and the games are a lot harder to get into.

"It (Skilled) wasn't the friendliest environment to have my first game. It was freezing and windy. But it was a good experience."

The 2005 Queensland state representative picked up 12 possessions in the disappointing 77-point loss to the Cats, but got to celebrate his first four points as a senior Lion the next week at the Gabba, notching 11 disposals in an 18-point win over Essendon.

That made it two wins from as many outings against the Bombers, a trend he hopes continues throughout his Lions career.

"We've gone pretty well against Essendon so far - hopefully I can keep that going.," he said.

"Playing at the Gabba was good, just to get in front of the home crowd and have my friends and family all there. And then getting in the middle to sing the team song at the end was a great feeling."

Not surprisingly, given his rapid progress to date, Harding has been forced to re-evaluate his aims for 2006. He now has his eyes set on playing double-figure matches for the year, along with working on the aspects of his play that can put him in contention for a senior game week-in, week-out.

"I'm aiming to get 10 goals under my belt for the year but every game is a bonus really," Harding explained.

"My endurance has always been average, so I've always got to work on that. But you can't really work on that during the season - it's more of a pre-season thing. Other than that, I'm just hoping to get my confidence up to take everyone on and carry the ball and play with a bit of flair.

"All the conditioning staff have been great and just having another full pre-season really helped me. It helped with my running and my strength and my actual football skills have probably improved as well.

"Just being around all the professionalism of the club has been huge."

[Grimreepah]

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7493/hardingnm9.jpg

Article (http://www.news.com.au/sundaymail/story/0,23739,21203347-5003410,00.html)

Harding wildcard hope

By Damien Stannard (http://www.news.com.au/sundaymail/author/0,23829,5001322-5003410,00.html)
February 10, 2007 11:00pm

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QUICK-stepping midfielder Scott Harding looms as the wildcard as the Lions look to find a dangerous forward crumber for 2007.
Having filled the role last year, Ashley McGrath has the inside running, but he faces competition from Harding and Albert Proud for the Lions' AFL season opener against Hawthorn on March 31.
Finding a roving forward has been a problem for coach Leigh Matthews since the retirement of triple premiership player Craig McRae and departure of Blake Caracella in 2004.
The Lions have deployed McGrath, Anthony Corrie, Rhan Hooper and Harding as forward scavengers. All achieved some success but none managed the consistency of McRae, who booted 176 goals in 156 games.
Corrie has shown glimpses but will miss half the season as he recovers from a knee reconstruction while Hooper, a ferocious tackler, walked out on the club during the pre-season. That leaves 20-year-old Harding, McGrath and first-year player Proud as the leading options for the NAB Cup game against St Kilda in Cairns on February 24.
McRae, now an assistant coach at Richmond, said Harding could fill the role, provided he worked on endurance.
"I think he has all the attributes," McRae said.
"I've heard he's worked hard to get his fitness level up. You've got to be willing to work hard and have speed to chase out of the forward line. It's not a rewarding role."
Harding was elevated from the rookie list last season, replacing the injured Nigel Lappin, and went on to play 14 games.
The Mt Gravatt product was the fastest Lion over 20m (2.79sec) in pre-season testing.
He is now concentrating on the other elements demanded to be a crumbing force under the likes of Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw.
Harding has improved his endurance over the summer, posting a personal-best 13.9 in the beep test last week, and is keen to show precision in front of goal.
"I've been working pretty hard on my goalkicking, running shots, snap shots and foot skills," he said. "The best make the most of their chances and finish well."
McGrath does not turn 24 until May but his relative experience -- he debuted in 2001 -- gives him an edge.
Matthews knows what makes a good forward pocket, having finished his sterling career at Hawthorn in that position.
"The measuring stick is how much pressure you can put on your opponent," said Matthews, who rates Melbourne's Aaron Davey and Byron Pickett as the league's benchmarks.
Harding said whoever ends up buzzing around the feet of Bradshaw and Brown would enjoy the post.
"It makes your job a lot easier having blokes like that to rove to," he said.

[irel]

Who is this Damien Stannard? A new name from the The Sunday Mail.
Unlike our Hammo so far Damien appears to be sticking to factual pieces. Anyhow let's hope the standard he has set in the last few articles is maintained.

Damien Stannard
Sunday Mail sports writer
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Damien Stannard is a sports nerd, which is really just a regular nerd with zinc cream on his nose, a pie in one hand and a footy record in the other.

That's why, in January 2007, he swapped the tropical lifestyle in Cairns for a job covering Australian football and just about everything else he can get his hands on for The Sunday Mail.

Prior to that he was the Cairns-based north Queensland roundsman for two years, covering everything from politics, troppo style, to sport.

Since joining The Sunday Mail team in 2005, he has reported on Tropical Cyclone Larry, which devastated Innisfail, Babinda, Mission Beach, Silkwood and the southern Tableland in March 2006.

Other significant events to cross his path in the north Queensland bureau include the Lockhart River plane crash in May 2005 and later that year the Cowboys' fairytale surge to their first National Rugby League grand final.

Before joining The Sunday Mail, Damien spent five years as sports editor and sports reporter at regional daily newspaper The Cairns Post. During that time, he covered the AFL Cairns grand final "Footbrawl" which resulted in the lengthy suspensions of 22 players from one club, Shane Warne's record equalling wicket against Sri Lanka and the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Damien served his cadetship in Brisbane as the Logan City Council roundsman at the weekly Reporter newspaper.

[Snuka]

Good article, and pleases me a lot. Have lacked that quality crumbing forward for since McRae left. McGrath's has shown a bit, but for a player coming into his 6th odd year, he probably needs to do more than that this year. I still think he's probably the best option, but great to see we've got a couple of other blokes playing for the spot.

And OT, it is actually a pleasant surprise to read see this article from the Courier. This new guy that's not Hammo seems to know his stuff. Maybe we should put him on the new Journo Watch sub-board.

[TheBrownDog]

Could Harding become our own Daniel Kerr (minus the anti-social behavior)?

Incredible poise, timing and balance around the packs.

Really coming on strong this year!

[danielcanberra]

Sure is BrownDog. And he seizes opportunities in a split second like... whoa, where did that goal come from?

Harding is also very down to earth. He's fast becoming another of my favourites. I'll actually take the courtesy of chatting to him first now, before talking to my other (favourite) players.

[notting18]

Could Harding become our own Daniel Kerr (minus the anti-social behavior)?

Incredible poise, timing and balance around the packs.

Really coming on strong this year!

A very interesting comparison...he does seem like a similar type of player - lets hope he can reach those lofty standards

[xplo]

Could Harding become our own Daniel Kerr (minus the anti-social behavior)?

Incredible poise, timing and balance around the packs.

Really coming on strong this year!

I'm loathed to make comparisons generally, but I reckon that one's not bad. The thing he has that Kerr has, is the ability to burst hard and still 'hold the road' while arcing and weaving through heavy traffic. He has exceptional balance and you rarely see him lose his feet which is a massive thing.

Aka had it too, so he's actually giving back us some of the stuff we lost when Aka went.

As TFB said recently, if Huddo can just help him find another 5-10M with his kick he'll be a real find.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Young-Aker-sighted-at-Lions/2007/05/07/1178390213377.html)

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4292/hardingqm1.jpg

Young Aker sighted at Lions

May 7, 2007 - 5:34PM



A Gabba showdown between the Brisbane Lions and former golden boy Jason Akermanis is not scheduled until next month.
But Lions coach Leigh Matthews believes he saw a "young Jason Akermanis" at Brisbane's home ground during their convincing weekend AFL victory over Fremantle.
Blooded last year as a result of Brisbane's shocking injury run, Scott Harding, 20, has already earned comparisons with the former Brownlow medallist from the master coach.
"There's a bit of Jason Akermanis in his younger days about him - that ability to really surge forward in the pack," Matthews said.
"Scott Harding's ability to carry the ball clear of the congestion is another attribute for our team.
"Scotty does that better than almost all our players."
Indeed Matthews would have been forgiven for feeling a sense of deja vu during Brisbane's 45-point thumping of Fremantle that pushed the Lions into the top three.
Apart from Harding channelling Akermanis, the Lions midfield showed signs of regaining the strength that powered them to three straight premierships.
"We've got a fairly good six or eight in there that spread it from the contest pretty well," Matthews said.
"Richard Hadley is getting better, so is Simon Black, and Luke Power."
But it was Harding who earned special praise from Matthews, who rated the Brisbane product as one of the Lions' three most promising youngsters.
"When you talk about Cheynee Stiller, Jason Roe and Scott Harding they are certainly rookies but they have more than justified the faith (put in them)," he said.
"They were not rated highly in the draft but were given their chance and are three that are doing really well for us."


I think Harding might be wanting to play down the Aker comparison:D

[lionbear]

Link (http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Young-Aker-sighted-at-Lions/2007/05/07/1178390213377.html)



I think Harding might be wanting to play down the Aker comparison:D


I think so too, but his development is looking good will be a great player for many years to come.:thumbsu:

[danielcanberra]

Finals in sight: Harding

Brought to you by LAINE CLARK, AAP

News

THERE is finally light at the end of the tunnel for the once-battling Brisbane Lions and it is shining firmly on finals footy, according to midfielder Scott Harding.

The 20-year-old must have wondered what he had got himself into when he was elevated from the rookie list by the injury-plagued Lions last season.

The once-mighty Lions were hammered in 2006, missing the finals for the second straight season after finishing with a 7-15 record - coach Leigh Matthews' worst result since taking over in 1999.

Fast forward to round seven in the 2007 AFL season and Harding can hardly stress the difference in the Lions' camp's atmosphere.
He even muttered the `f' word - finals.

"It's a lot different. It's a great vibe at the club at the moment," he said.

"After getting off to a good start we are actually feeling the finals coming up.

"You see them there and you want to get to them. Last year there was no excitement, just a terrible feeling after games.

"We haven't talked about it (finals) but it is more in our sights, more than last year."

Harding is happier than most Brisbane Lions players after earning comparisons with Brownlow medallist and former Lion Jason Akermanis from Matthews following their 45-point weekend thumping of Fremantle.

His performance helped Brisbane move to a 4-2 record and grab a top-three ladder spot.

It also sparked good natured ribbing at Lions training.

"Hey Aker," his teammates yelled out as Harding walked toward the waiting media.

"It's obviously a compliment. He's been one of the better players over the last 10 years, but obviously I have got a lot of work to do to get to that status," Harding said.

"Leigh doesn't give out praise that often so you've got to take it."

A "bulked up" Harding is riding high with the revitalised Lions but does not have to be reminded his spot is hardly cemented for the season.
Brisbane is boasting a near full-strength squad with the likes of Mitch Clark (leg) and Matthew Leuenberger (groin) back to full fitness and Josh Drummond knocking on the door after bagging seven goals in the reserves last weekend.

But Harding has gained confidence since forcing his way into the Lions' line-up from the rookie list last year.

"I took the long route I guess - it makes it a bit more special (making the AFL)," he said.

"I guess you have people doubting you but I guess if you don't have self belief you won't get anywhere."

In other news, matchwinning forward Jonathan Brown was nursed through training after landing heavily on his hip against Fremantle but is expected to join the main group by Friday.

Another co-captain Chris Johnson also did not train with the main group but is expected to line up against Adelaide at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.


http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=42915

[xplo]

"It's obviously a compliment. He's been one of the better players over the last 10 years, but obviously I have got a lot of work to do to get to that status," Harding said.

So has Aka.

[freebyronpickett]

He is an unusual looking guy, funny eyebrows and tanned skin.

What ethnicity is he ? Obviously not aboriginal or we'd have heard something by now ...

[danielcanberra]

He is an unusual looking guy, funny eyebrows and tanned skin.

What ethnicity is he ? Obviously not aboriginal or we'd have heard something by now ...

Irrelevant.

[Herbs]

The kid is good, real good. Been noticing his good work in every game.

[irel]

Aker speaks about Harding!

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21702116-5003410,00.html

Boost for HardingAndrew Hamilton
May 10, 2007 12:00am


SCOTT Harding took comparisons with Jason Akermanis as a compliment, while the former Lions star was thrilled his old teammate was doing well but did not want to burden him with unfair comparisons.

Well, it's too late.
Lions coach Leigh Matthews isn't one to go overboard with public praise yet he seems to break his rules for Harding.

"It's good to have that connection," Harding said of the coach's support.

"Leigh doesn't give out praise very often so you've got to take it."

Last season, after Harding's first senior game, in the NAB Cup clash with Essendon at Carrara, Matthews said the rookie's effort was "as good a first game" as anyone had played.

Last Sunday, after Harding played a key role in dismantling the Dockers, he compared him to a young Akermanis.

It's a fair wrap when you consider "Aker" went on to play in three premierships and win a Brownlow Medal.

"It's obviously a compliment," Harding said.

"But he's been one of the better players over the past 10 years, so I've got a ot of work to do to get to that status."

Akermanis has a soft spot for Harding; he knows his father Russell and kept tabs on Scott's progress through the juniors.

"I don't want to talk about comparisons. He is nine years down the track so they're not fair on him," Akermanis said.

"Hopefully in nine years we can make comparisons. I hope he can have the career I"ve had.

"He's a terrific talent and a local guy too and you always want to see them do well.

"He's made a good start and now he has to carry on with it. It's up to him."

Matthews made the comparison because of Harding's ability to carry the ball clear of traffic and his obvious pace.

"There's a bit of Jason Akermanis in his younger days about him, that ability to surge forward in the pack," Matthews said.

"His ability to carry the ball clear of congestion is another attribute for our team.

"Scotty does that better than almost all our players."

Harding joined the Lions through the rookie draft and was elevated to the senior list when the club suffered a run of injuries last season.

"I took the long route I guess, but these days you can get to the AFL through the rookie list system. That was always the goal, and it makes it a little bit more special," he said.

"I never doubted myself. You have people doubting you but self belief is the main thing and if you don't have that you won't get anywhere. You start off below everyone and it is a challenge to get above them."

Akermanis says Queenslanders are often overlooked, since they develop later than the Victorian juniors because they aren't in a regular top-quality under-18s competition.

But that means they provide great value in the draft.

"I think the Queensland blokes might take an extra year or two, but they are better at 20 and 21 than some of the guys who were high draft picks," he said.

[TheBrownDog]

Methinks Aker is feeling a little homesick.

[Grimreepah]

Methinks Aker is feeling a little homesick.

I doubt it. He'd struggle to get a game;)

[Grimreepah]

http://i2.tinypic.com/63lmk29.jpg

[notting18]

I doubt it. He'd struggle to get a game;)

On his recent form, that is not such a stupid comment it appears to be!

[Ceebee]

http://i2.tinypic.com/63lmk29.jpg
Love what he is doing, just hope he doesn't bleach his hair and grow a goatie. :)

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22259722-10389,00.html)

Harding was the obvious replacement for Hooper because of his electric pace and evasive skills.
He too has been in top form in the reserves and was just shaded for a call-up last week by co-captain Chris Johnson, who came in to replace injured forward Ash McGrath.


http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4307/hardingml1.jpg
ELECTRIC pace . . . Scott Harding was the logical replacement for the suspended Rhan Hooper.

[TheBrownDog]

Any word on the extent of Scotty's knee injury?

[Grimreepah]

Any word on the extent of Scotty's knee injury?

Link (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22274570-23211,00.html)

Brisbane will also be without Scott Harding, who sustained a serious knee injury in the game.

Link (http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/08/20/1771_gold-coast-sport.html)

Harding is expected to miss the rest of the season with a medial ligament strain

Injuryupdate (http://www.injuryupdate.com.au/afl.php) says he is still to have scans to determine the extent of the injury.

[The Flying Belgian]

Although an overview, medial's are the "good' ligament to injure. No reco needed usually.

[Vipertooth]

Although an overview, medial's are the "good' ligament to injure. No reco needed usually.

He should be fit and fireing next season then? AWSOME

GO HARDING :thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu:

[notting18]

Although an overview, medial's are the "good' ligament to injure. No reco needed usually.
Even a bad medial is usually 6-8 weeks max isn't it? So not the worst news for Scott - he will be able to start the next preseason, which is so important these days.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://lions.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/5085/Default.aspx?newsId=50966)

AFLQ Grogan Medal results

8:37 AM Wed 12 September, 2007
for lions.com.au

Promising young rover Scott Harding never lowered his standards when sent back to the Suncoast Lions and finished as the club’s leading votegetter in AFLQ’s 2007 Grogan Medal count on Monday night.

The diminutive Harding, who made his senior debut in 2006 after being elevated from the rookie list, finished sixth overall behind winner Todd Featherstone.

It was an impressive performance by Harding, who played more senior games than he did at State league level.

He didn’t poll a vote until the halfway mark of the season, then polled best afield votes in Rounds 10, 11, 13 in wins against Redland, Mt Gravatt and Broadbeach respectively.

Harding’s final best afield vote came in Round 17 in a losing side at Broadbeach, earning him senior selection the following week.

He finished with 12 votes, six behind Labrador rover Featherstone.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3781/hardingdx3.jpg

[Grimreepah]

End of Season Player Review

After playing as a promoted rookie in 2006, Harding started the year on the senior list for the first time this year. It was a year where he showed some terrific signs, but also that he has a few areas that need considerable work.

He began the year in the starting 22 and was showing a tremendous ability to be able to manoeuvre and weave out of congestion. He wasn’t getting a lot of the ball, but he looked dangerous when he did, and was offering us a bit of spark that other players lacked. Leigh even said there were similarities to the former champ – Jason Akermanis.

He kept his spot for the first 8 weeks, but only averaging 13 possessions a game he came into the firing line when the team started to struggle. He went back to the 2s and played some tremendous footy for Suncoast (finishing the year as their leading player in the Grogan Medal), but only returned to the senior side for the odd game here and there.

The areas Harding needs to work on are - firstly, his kicking. While his action looks fairly coordinated and natural he lacks penetration. Often his good work darting out of the pack is undone by a cream puff floater into the forward 50 that opposition defenders can eat for breakfast. Secondly, with regard to his defensive pressure he seems to lack the presence or referred pressure that others like Hooper and McGrath have when the opponent has the ball. Also, it was interesting to learn that Harding is very strong for his size, because he doesn’t really utilise that on the field. Perhaps he needs to look at someone like Kerr to learn how to impose some aggression and take an opponent on. Finally, as Harding himself indicated early in the year, he needs to build up his endurance to be able to compete in the midfield.

Harding is an exciting player and with his speed and elusiveness he is suited to the modern game and has a big upside. However there are not many spots available for his type of role especially now that Hooper has overtaken him by a considerable margin. With others knocking on the door he’ll have to quickly realise that potential if he wants to play regular senior footy in 2008.

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/8604/hardingzh2.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Btw, I believe the Lions website is wrong, and Harding's jumper number is actually 5 (changed from 45 last year).

[TheBrownDog]

Btw, I believe the Lions website is wrong, and Harding's jumper number is actually 5 (changed from 45 last year).

He wore 5 last year.

[Grimreepah]

He wore 5 last year.

Yeah, that's what I meant.

[TheBrownDog]

Yeah, that's what I meant.

Gotcha.

[danielcanberra]

Footy Tazos are back in Smith's Crisps.
http://www.smithsfooty.com.au/

Scott Harding is one of the four Brisbane Lions players (former and current) under the Legends theme, specifically FUTURE LEGEND.

I can't wait to get my hands on that Tazo.

[xplo]

Footy Tazos are back in Smith's Crisps.
http://www.smithsfooty.com.au/

Scott Harding is one of the four Brisbane Lions players (former and current) under the Legends theme, specifically FUTURE LEGEND.

I can't wait to get my hands on that Tazo.

I just had a look at the Freo one's --there's no Tazo Tazo!

[Fairley]

I would almost bet my house that Scott will be an inclusion this week. For who? I couldn't tell you that. Either Henderson, Rischitelli or Hooper. Lets see how i go.

[acuguy]

If he has learnt to tackle he is in, Harding is the type of player who must run through the pack at the clearance, if he finds himself on the outside of it then he is no use to us, he has also gone through a stage where he has just taken everyone one on, now he must pick and choose his time to carry and his time to dish off immediately. I would like to see him get a game, maybe ahead of Rischi

[notting18]

I would almost bet my house that Scott will be an inclusion this week. For who? I couldn't tell you that. Either Henderson, Rischitelli or Hooper. Lets see how i go.

You house Fairley? Or your parent's house;)

Although I do agree with you I am not as confident. One of Harding, Razzle, Schmidt, etc will get a go this week I think

[campbell]

He played a good game in the ressies on Saturday from what I saw. I would hope he gets a recall.

[TheBrownDog]

He played a good game in the ressies on Saturday from what I saw. I would hope he gets a recall.

Always plays his heart out for Suncoast. :thumbsu:

[campbell]

Always plays his heart out for Suncoast. :thumbsu:

He looked like he wanted the ball at all costs, did what it took. That'll do me.

[Grimreepah]

I would almost bet my house that Scott will be an inclusion this week. For who? I couldn't tell you that. Either Henderson, Rischitelli or Hooper. Lets see how i go.

I think he'll get a run this week too. He can get clearances and he can crumb goals - exactly what we need.

[danielcanberra]

Future Legend.

Let him fulfill his destiny. ;)

[Grimreepah]

Fairley may have lost the house, but it sounds like (http://www.sportingpulse.com/pics/53/09/5309327_secondImageIMG.jpg) Harding again is pushing for selection:

Scott Harding and Albert Proud burrowed in to every pack and won several key clearances to set up scoring opportunities.

Harding and Proud provided great drive using their speed to advantage.

It was Harding who provided the final quarter highlight, rising onto Turton’s shoulders and hanging seconds behind taking a screamer.

[Fairley]

Yeah i have been bumming around the streets these past few days, using my last few cents in this internet cafe. Damn you Scott, damn you.

[sherrin_footy]

i watched the cubs play on the weekend.
He really dominated.
Seemed to choose the right option nearly all of the time.

Might be in for hooper this week?

[Gabbatoir]

potential rioli matchup?

[mpal6]

It'll better to have hooper and scott harding in the team. Rotate hooper/scott/corrie/proud - the mosquito fleet - for forward pressure and to tag rioli/guerra out of the game. Hawks weak link is their defense, which is working at present due to Guerra/Young who can hit targets by foot. Our forward pressure will more or less decide this game.

[Ruse]

I concur.

[ZoBlitz]

Might come in this week, maybe replace Hooper who looks like he could do with some time in the seconds to get some form.

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23595021-10389,00.html)

Harding joins Lions squad
Article from: http://www.news.com.au/images/sources/h14_thecouriermail.gif (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/)
Marco Monteverde
April 25, 2008 12:00am

SPEEDY midfielder Scott Harding is poised to finally be rewarded for his dynamic form in the reserves with selection in Brisbane's 22 to take on struggling Melbourne at the Gabba on Sunday.
Harding, arguably best on ground for the past four weeks for the Suncoast Lions, was last night named on an extended seven-man interchange bench that also includes 2007 draft selections Lachlan Henderson, Bradd Dalziell, James Polkinghorne and Tom Collier.
Harding, involved in nine of the Lions' first 10 matches last season before fading to play only another two, could be used in either the midfield or up forward.
"Scott Harding played very well (in the reserves)," Matthews said.
"We've deliberately played him, James Polkinghorne and Albert Proud up forward at times in the reserves because if they do well in that small forward role it gives them another string to their bow.

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/5268/hardingel2.jpg
IN FINE form . . . Scott Harding has been selected in Brisbane's 22 to face Melbourne at the Gabba on Sunday.

[Grimreepah]

Great at the clearances, great evasiveness, great speed, just can't hit a bloody target inside 50. So frustrating to see him break into space and then waste all his good work with a poor kick. He's so close to being extremely dangerous. I think his kicking technique is sound (although lacks penetration), it's more a mental thing of adapting to the speed of the game and composing himself at the right moment.

[mish33]

Even playing the Dees is a huge step up from AFLQ level and he looked like he rushed his kicks a little. Big impact though. Hope he's in there next week:thumbsu:

It's a pity we don't have a stronger feeder comp, it means we rarely see our young boys come in looking settled.

[Ceebee]

Deserves another game.may as well be against the best team in the comp, only way he will learn.

[acuguy]

The Aflq is a good standard of footy and Lions players have to work hard to do well at this standard. Harding is a player that has had to improve several areas of his game to get to afl standard. When he was younger he was seen as being very quick, skilled but soft as a marshmallow, he is still working on his tackling etc. No easy kicks at aflq level.

[konstas_87]

definately deserves another game after the demons performance:thumbsu:

[chopperduck]

did everything right but his kicking, which wasn't bad, his kicks were just always falling a bit short. was a breath of fresh air in the middle and has great speed and agression. saw him just rip the ball out of someones hands at one point.

maybe just got a big of jitters on the big stage. most of our team are a bit lacking in the basic ball skills atm tho. we are our own worse enemy with clangers

[Grimreepah]

Warning: dramatic headline. No word yet on the severity of the injury.

Link (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/gabba-concrete-claims-harding/2008/06/08/1212863446619.html)

Gabba 'concrete' claims Harding
Marc Fox
June 8, 2008 - 6:45PM

The Gabba last played host to cricket three months ago, but the hardness of the centre wicket area claimed another AFL victim this weekend in Brisbane Lions midfielder Scott Harding.
Harding’s knee crashed into the turf under a Mark Johnson tackle during the third quarter of Brisbane’s 22-point win over the Dockers and the young Lion was immediately helped from the field and the club doctor called.
Asked about the 21-year-old’s welfare in the post-match press conference to discuss the club’s fourth consecutive victory, coach Leigh Matthews responded icily.
“If you fall knee first onto a concrete path you’re going to hurt your knee aren’t you? And that’s what he did. That centre pitch was like rock today. He just happened to be the unlucky player that fell knee first,” Matthews said.
Even though Harding did resume on the exercise bike before the game’s conclusion, the Lions mentor’s stinging criticism has reopened the longstanding debate about drop-in cricket pitches at AFL venues.

http://i29.tinypic.com/1ytqhx.jpg

[Tassie4ever]

Time to get tough with the Gabba Trust or whoever authorises making/maintaining cricket pitches in the MIDDLE OF WINTER!!!!!, for god's sake.

We pay the majority of the Trust's income, as I understand it- let's start laying down the law.

[TheBrownDog]

Time to get tough with the Gabba Trust or whoever authorises making/maintaining cricket pitches in the MIDDLE OF WINTER!!!!!, for god's sake.

We pay the majority of the Trust's income, as I understand it- let's start laying down the law.

Don't be ridiculous!

We have to keep the traditional Gabba pitch for the three days of cricket a year that aren't rained out. ;)

[amortiser]

Beats me why they don't dig it up at the end of the cricket season then re-compact it when the footy season is over.

The square could be loosened up considerably to alleviate this problem. What they do for roads why can't they do the same for cricket pitches?

[Ray Button]

Scott Harding's knee can't be too bad - he's been named for Suncoast tomorrow:

AFLQ Velocity Sports Cup Round 11

Suncoast Lions v Labrador
Dauth Park, Beenleigh
Sunday 15 June @ 2:10pm

B: Tom Collier (22), Scott Clouston (41), Troy Jamieson (1)
HB: Robert Copeland (30), Daniel Dzufer (45), Ethan Reading (9)
C: Bradd Dalziell (34), Chris Schmidt (13), Don Barry (4)
HF: James Hawksley (12), Matthew Moody (10), Scott Harding (5)
F: Phil Smith (40), Patrick Garner (27), Matt Austin (37)
Foll: Joel Tippett (47), Albert Proud (2), James Polkinghorne (31)
Int: Jack Parkes (3), Brandon Stewart (8), Sean Yoshiura (33), Shaun Maxfield (11), Bill Moorehead (20), Jessie Hawkes (24), Jake Goldsmith (7), Jorge Branco (6)

[Grimreepah]

Leigh (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,23884914-5016169,00.html)

"We never play anyone we don't think is alright. If the medical people clear them, then the conditioning people have to clear them. If they both clear them, then we have to make the decision on whether they play," he said.

"Scott Harding didn't play on the weekend but he was virtually cleared to play by the conditioning people.

"We just weren't quite sure about how his knee would cope if he fell on it again. So we decided to leave him out of the team even though he had virtually been given the all-clear.

"That was one example of when the match committee made the decision."

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/7414/hardinguq5.jpg

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4711-0-0-0&sID=56333&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=5695409&sectionID=56333)

Suncoast had problems with their own, losing the damaging Scott Harding with an aggravation of his knee injury at halftime

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,24045226-5016181,00.html)

Lions' Scott Harding may sue over drop-in centre wicket
Article from:http://www.news.com.au/images/sources/sm_sundaymail.gif
By Damien Stannard
July 20, 2008 12:00am

LION Scott Harding is considering suing for damages because of the injuries he suffered after being slammed into the Gabba's centre square. The stunning move could open the door to a class action over the Gabba's controversial rock-hard surface.
Harding blames the cricket pitch for injuring his knee in the Lions' win over Fremantle in Round 8, which caused him to miss four matches, and he has enlisted the AFL Players' Association to investigate whether he has a case.
"I've talked to the AFLPA and they're right behind me," he said.
If the matter proceeds through court, it could become a test case for several other players carrying wounds that have been attributed to the Gabba's centre square.
Club co-captain Jonathan Brown has described the cricket pitch area as concrete and says his 2005 groin injury was related to the hard surface.
Ruckman Jamie Charman (knee) has demanded the wicket area to be fixed while Simon Black's groin injury has also been linked to the Gabba deck.
"It's one for the future. It can cause injuries and it's a workplace health and safety issue," Harding said.
"Mine's the first injury as a direct result of the surface.
''Plus there's Blacky's groin and Charmo's knee.
"Obviously it did make the injury a lot worse.
''It's a hard pitch and if it had been normal grass it wouldn't have been so bad."
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou and Brown are among the heavyweights behind a campaign to replace the Gabba's unique, but rock-hard centre wicket with a drop-in deck.
Cricket authorities and Stadiums Queensland, which runs the Gabba and answers to the State Government, are reluctant to make changes.
They argue that the ground meets all the conditions set by the AFL and that cricket matches would be adversely affected by tinkering with Brisbane's fast, bouncy pitch.
Queensland Sports Minister Judy Spence is one of cricket's most powerful allies, recently vowing there would be no drop-in wicket at the Gabba while she was the Sports Minister.
A case against the Gabba is not without precedent.
Carlton's Luke O'Sullivan successfully argued loss of income after he suffered a serious knee injury due to the ground surface in a pre-season match at VFL Park in 1993.
Ex-Lions assistant coach and former Adelaide ruckman Shaun Rehn was awarded damages after having a knee reconstruction after he slipped on a rubber disc used by umpires to bounce the ball at AAMI Stadium in 1999.
Former Eagles No.6 draft pick Trent Cummings and Docker Paul Maher tore knee ligaments at Subiaco Oval in 1998.
Both were paid confidential settlements in 2006 by the AFL and the WAFL of several hundred thousand dollars.
For Harding, the big question is who is liable – the State Government, Stadiums Queensland, the AFL or the club.
When Rehn settled his claim in 2005, he was compensated by the AFL and SANFL.
Asked last month whether the Gabba issue was a lawsuit waiting to happen, Lions coach Leigh Matthews replied: "I think most logical people would feel so."
Harding, who made his comeback last night, said he was "one call away from having surgery" on the knee.
He received injury payments but may be out of pocket from bonuses.
Had he been out of contract at season's end, an injury could have denied him the opportunity to play for his future.
"It's a weird one,'' he said.
''You're always going to miss games and you do get injury payments.
"I'm contracted until the end of next year but as a young player trying to prove myself you don't want to miss games."
Concerned about player welfare, the Adelaide Crows examined the surface before their June 21 match against Brisbane.
West Coast Eagles ruckman Dean Cox also took a close look at the wicket area on Friday.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6328/hardinglw7.jpg
LEGAL options ... the Brisbane Lions' young gun Scott Harding may sue over injuries blamed on the drop-in centre wicket at the Gabba.

[LionKing]

Surely players welfare comes first !! Right behind you Harding. :thumbsu:

[Lehmo87]

while I agree that they should bring in a drop-in pitch, I'm not sure how far Harding will get in the case should he decide to proceed with it. I'm no legal ace, but I would have thought that you needed to prove that the centre square actually caused the injury. I'm not sure making an injury worse will suffice in court because it would be hard to prove. If he does go through with it, I hope he does wins because he is right when he says it's a serious OH&S problem.

[triplemac]

I thought the pitch was checked prior to each match? Also, doesn't the AFL have set guidelines for the ground? If so, I am not sure, but should he be trying to sue the AFL for the regulations on the ground maybe?

[Grimreepah]

AFLQ (http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4711-0-0-0&sID=56333&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=6115450&sectionID=56333)

... although it was the work of Harding that was most eye-catching. Limited to bursts off the bench at senior level, he was good in the packs and used his speed to telling effect to make life hard for father Russ, who was in the Vultures box as co-coach, and younger brother Justin.

[Grimreepah]

AFLQ (http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-4711-0-0-0&sID=56333&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=6346537&sectionID=56333)

Harding was brilliant with four goals to cap his outstanding work in the midfield

[Grimreepah]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,24284806-5016169,00.html)

Troubled speedster Scott Harding was looking for a new club a month ago but now wants to talk to Brisbane.

[dlanod]

Is it harsh to guess that he didn't find anyone wanting to pick him up?

[mish33]

Think Hardo is one who could really benefit from a new coach, new direction. He's seemed to have stalled at reserve level, but potentially has a lot to offer the senior team.

That said I'd be pretty nervous if I was him.

[Lehmo87]

Think Hardo is one who could really benefit from a new coach, new direction. He's seemed to have stalled at reserve level, but potentially has a lot to offer the senior team.

That said I'd be pretty nervous if I was him.

I think the same can be said for a lot of players on the edge of being delisted.

[acuguy]

I think Harding will be held onto, would rather see him stay over the likes of Selwood, Mills or Copeland, he has some real attributes.

[The Flying Belgian]

Is it harsh to guess that he didn't find anyone wanting to pick him up?

I'm not sure that many clubs have really sat down to have a look at their lists too much, definitely not 8 of them anyway. But more likely is the new coach has proven to be an attraction, assuming the report is correct (big assumption).

[Quigley]

Link (http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,24284806-5016169,00.html)
What are these troubles? That he can't find the ball when he gets a game or is there some off-field issues?