Jordan Harcombe is 34 years old and is a Ruckman and Full Forward on the Ottawa Swans
men’s team.
Q: How long have you been playing Australian football?
Harcombe: I’ve been playing Footy for nine years now.
Q: For people unfamiliar with the sport, what does your position entail?
Harcombe: A full forward is akin to a striker in soccer, with the main job being to provide a
deep target and kick goals. The Ruckman is a more nuanced position, similar to a centreman in
hockey. We are in charge of taking ball-ups like a jump ball in basketball but not stationary,
which gives our team possession as well as being a target for our defensive players to kick to
when leaving our zone and an obstacle for opposing defenders to kick over, around and away
from.
Q: What is your favourite part of playing the sport?
Harcombe: My favourite part of the sport aside from winning would be the competitiveness and
club culture. There aren’t many full-contact adult sports; games can be intense and physical, and
it’s an absolute blast. The club culture that comes with battling hard beside 24 teammates every
weekend is unreal, unlike anything I’ve experienced in my sporting life before. We back each
other up on and off the field. We get behind each other when things get tough, in the game and in
life. Through the pandemic, this team kept me from getting too low or down on myself.
Q: What has been the highlight of your season?
Harcombe: The highlight of my season this year is hopefully yet to come as we hope to play and
win our third consecutive Premiership. Getting to represent Canada at the 49th Parallel Cup
against the U.S. was tremendous. Playing with the best players from across the country and
getting to play international Footy was special, and it makes me incredibly proud to wear the
maple leaf on my chest.
Q: What was it like to win the Best & Fairest award? What was that moment like for you?
Harcombe: As far as winning the Best & Fairest award and how it felt, shocking. I was stunned
that I had won, and it took a while to wrap my head around it. The Swans have had two previous
winners of the award, and both, Tom Stafford and Cory Townder, were exceptional Australian
small forward/midfielders, and to join them as one of three members of this club to win is cool. It
also felt a bit like redemption. I’m not sure that’s the right word for how I feel but I was the
runner-up for the award in 2018, but I hurt my knee halfway through the season. I was still
recovering the last time we had a season and I felt like I was close to getting over that hump, and
if I could get my knee right, I could be in the running again.
Q: What is next for you when it comes to playing Australian football?
Harcombe: Next up is finals playoffs in Australia, and as I mentioned, I hope to help us win our
third consecutive Premiership, a tough road lies ahead, but we have the team to do it. I hope to
represent Canada at the International Cup when it takes place next and eventually move into
coaching when my body can’t keep up with my desire to play anymore.
--
Laura Nelson
Last Modified on 17/10/2022 02:30