Australian Football

In 1910 Harry Harker starred for the Central Gippsland Football League in a match against the Police at the MCG, and as a result was invited to join both VFA side Brunswick and Melbourne of the VFL. He chose Brunswick because they offered more money, and he went on to play 83 games and score 169 goals for the club for half a dozen seasons on either side of the Great War. Regarded as one of the association’s premier talents he finally decided to take up Melbourne’s offer, which rather surprisingly was still on the table, in 1920. When he made his VFL debut in round two he was, at 32 years and 138 months, the oldest ever Melbourne debutant.

A stockily built forward, he was not spectacular,but used his strength to good effect. and was an accurate kick for goal. He played 54 VFL games over five seasons and kicked 146 goals. Throughout his career he travelled from Gippsland to the city and back twice a week, once for training and once for Saturday’s match.

Author - John Devaney