WINGMAN Jarrod Harbrow says it's business as usual as the former Bulldog prepares to face off against his former teammates as the Gold Coast SUNS prepare to host the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The roving on-baller has started his seventh premiership campaign in career-best form, averaging 24.8 disposals since shifting from half-back to the a more attacking midfield role – with the North Queenslander currently positioned in the top 5 ranking for the Club Championship Award.
While Harbrow is likely to be the target of a heavy tag this weekend, the 112-game workhorse is adamant he won’t be too much of a major focus for his former AFL Club.
“I don’t think I’ll get targeted, or receive any special treatment,” said Harbrow.
“Once you get that first game out of the road against your old team, you tend to forget about it all.”
Harbrow was integral part of the Bulldog’s minor success in 2008 and 2009 when the side reached consecutive Preliminary Finals alongside playing alongside Adam Cooney, Robert Murphy and Daniel Giansiracusa, however says the Bulldog’s have undergone a major overhaul of their football department since his departure for the Gold Coast.
“I use to play with some of their old lads in Cooney, Murphy, Giansiacusa and Morris – but I have been away for 3 years and they’ve got a new coach and football team.”
While the GC SUNS managed to restrict the Melbourne well below their scoring average of 75-points with the Demons having built a total of 54-points in the SUNS historic 60-point victory at the MCG, assistant Coach Dean Solomon says his defensive structures would be put to the test against the Bulldogs this Saturday afternoon.
“Our numbers showed it was one of our better performances in that area, but the challenge is to back that up against the Western Bulldogs,” said Solomon.
“Offensively they are very good, Jones is going well, and they’ve got some very potent small forwards in Robert Murphy and Daniel Giasuancia, so defensively we’re going to have to be pretty spot on.”
