DANIEL Harris never dreamt that his AFL career was over -- but it did come very close.
Delisted by North Melbourne at the end of the season, Harris left his club of the past nine seasons with no contract and no thought on what 2010 would bring.
But then the Gold Coast Football Club came knocking.
The 149-game midfielder is breathing easier as his AFL career was extended for another two seasons at yesterday's pre-season rookie draft.
Targeted by the GCFC, Harris is the most experienced player to be added to their books ahead of their AFL debut in 2011.
"It was sad (to leave North Melbourne) but I was just waiting for another opportunity to arise," a relieved Harris told The Bulletin.
"It was looking grim there for a while but the Gold Coast came out of the blue and said they were keen."
Granted the top five picks in the rookie draft, the Coast also secured the services of former Collingwood duo Sam Iles and Daniel Stanley, key-position prospect Michael Coad and Northern Territory excitement machine Roland Ah Chee.
Regarded as one of the best stoppage players in the competition, Harris, a first-round draft pick in 2000, was delisted in September after playing just 10 matches this season.
Coad, Iles, Ah Chee and Stanley also received two-year contracts.
Last week, Harris met with GCFC coach Guy McKenna, football manager Marcus Ashcroft and recruiting manager Scott Clayton and learned just days later that they would chase him in the draft.
But it was not until the deal was sealed yesterday that the 27-year-old could celebrate.
"I was looking at the internet because I was feeding my daughter but then I was getting text messages and it was all very exciting," said Harris, who will relocate to the Coast with wife Adele and their children Sam, 2, and Lila, seven months, in the new year.
"I had a fantastic time visiting last week, it went really well and I had a phone call to say they would take me but now that it's official it's just a great feeling.
"I said to Sam 'would you like to move to the Gold Coast?' and she was quick to say yes so I knew it was the best decision."
The decision to select experienced and seasoned players would supplement the club's young inexperienced list, according to Ashcroft.
And it was important they could help lift the young squad in readiness for their introduction to the big league.
"We believe this is the best strategy for the development of our young group by being able to surround them with some bigger bodies for the next couple of years," said Ashcroft, a member of the dominant Brisbane Lions side who won three successive flags from 2001-2003.
"That has always been our plan for the rookie draft.
"These blokes are a bit older and a bit bigger and can play (AFL) straight away."
Courtesy of Jake Dew, Gold Coast Bulletin
