Post by peterss on Nov 23, 2007 11:08:34 GMT 10
Jamie Harnwell will be in rare company after Friday night’s match against Adelaide, the Perth Glory stalwart set to become just the third person to play 200 games for the club.
Harnwell made his debut for the Glory as a 21 year old in 1998, against the Brisbane Strikers at Suncorp Stadium, and since that day there are few players that could claim to have put more passion and pride into their performances for the club.
After nine seasons successful season with Perth Harnwell will join an exclusive club which, until now, has included only Glory champions Scott Miller (227 games) and Bobby Despotovski (241 games).
“They’re legends of the club and I don’t know if I can claim to be quite at that status,” a typically humble Harnwell said.
“They have both achieved so much in the game and I’m honoured to be in their company but I consider myself just a step below them,” he said.
While few Glory fans could forget Harnwell’s long range goal from just short of the half way line in 2001 against arch rivals Wollongong, the highlights of a glittering career came in the form of back to back championships.
“Holding the championship trophy is a magnificent feeling and definitely the key moments in my career so far,” Harnwell said.
“The Glory had a fantastic team, a great bunch of fans and to play in front of more than 40,000 of them at Subiaco Oval was a very special occasion.
“It’s the kind of thing that stays with you forever and I hope that the new group of players here at Glory are able to experience that as well, I’d certainly like to be part of it with them again,” he said.
While championships and captaincy have been his reward, there has also been tough times including a battle for a regular berth in the starting line-up this season.
“I suppose at the start of the season I wasn’t sure if I would achieve 200 games, so to be playing this game is going to be fantastic and I’m really looking forward to it.
“When you’re not playing or coming in and out of the side you don’t know what is going to happen. I just set about making the most of my opportunities and putting in the hard work at training and was confident the rewards would come and it has done,” he said.
The defender turned striker confident of adding to his games tally for several seasons to come.
“Physically I feel fantastic and I’d hope that I could play for another three years at least. I’ll sit down with the club in the next month or two and sort out a future plan,” he said.
Both Miller and Despotovski played in winning Glory sides during their milestone matches and the Glory will be hoping that history repeats this weekend against Adelaide.
“We showed last week that we have the right systems in place and are playing well, we just need to be more ruthless in front of goal and will be going to Hindmarsh with a firm belief and desire to get a result,” Harnwell said.
For the record, Scott Miller and Bobby Despotovski achieved their 200 game milestones in the following games;
Scott Miller: 2002/03 NSL Grand Final, 1 June 2003 - Perth Glory 2 def Sydney Olympic 0 at Subiaco Oval
Bobby Despotovski: 2003/04 Rd14, 3 January 2004 - Perth Glory 4 def Football Kingz 0 at Members Equity Stadium
Harnwell made his debut for the Glory as a 21 year old in 1998, against the Brisbane Strikers at Suncorp Stadium, and since that day there are few players that could claim to have put more passion and pride into their performances for the club.
After nine seasons successful season with Perth Harnwell will join an exclusive club which, until now, has included only Glory champions Scott Miller (227 games) and Bobby Despotovski (241 games).
“They’re legends of the club and I don’t know if I can claim to be quite at that status,” a typically humble Harnwell said.
“They have both achieved so much in the game and I’m honoured to be in their company but I consider myself just a step below them,” he said.
While few Glory fans could forget Harnwell’s long range goal from just short of the half way line in 2001 against arch rivals Wollongong, the highlights of a glittering career came in the form of back to back championships.
“Holding the championship trophy is a magnificent feeling and definitely the key moments in my career so far,” Harnwell said.
“The Glory had a fantastic team, a great bunch of fans and to play in front of more than 40,000 of them at Subiaco Oval was a very special occasion.
“It’s the kind of thing that stays with you forever and I hope that the new group of players here at Glory are able to experience that as well, I’d certainly like to be part of it with them again,” he said.
While championships and captaincy have been his reward, there has also been tough times including a battle for a regular berth in the starting line-up this season.
“I suppose at the start of the season I wasn’t sure if I would achieve 200 games, so to be playing this game is going to be fantastic and I’m really looking forward to it.
“When you’re not playing or coming in and out of the side you don’t know what is going to happen. I just set about making the most of my opportunities and putting in the hard work at training and was confident the rewards would come and it has done,” he said.
The defender turned striker confident of adding to his games tally for several seasons to come.
“Physically I feel fantastic and I’d hope that I could play for another three years at least. I’ll sit down with the club in the next month or two and sort out a future plan,” he said.
Both Miller and Despotovski played in winning Glory sides during their milestone matches and the Glory will be hoping that history repeats this weekend against Adelaide.
“We showed last week that we have the right systems in place and are playing well, we just need to be more ruthless in front of goal and will be going to Hindmarsh with a firm belief and desire to get a result,” Harnwell said.
For the record, Scott Miller and Bobby Despotovski achieved their 200 game milestones in the following games;
Scott Miller: 2002/03 NSL Grand Final, 1 June 2003 - Perth Glory 2 def Sydney Olympic 0 at Subiaco Oval
Bobby Despotovski: 2003/04 Rd14, 3 January 2004 - Perth Glory 4 def Football Kingz 0 at Members Equity Stadium
JAMIE JAMIE JAMIE JAMIE!!!
Well Done Jamie! - Glory through and through! - Heres hoping the lads can get a win for you tonight - A true glory legend - THERES ONLY ONE JAMIE HARNWELL!!
