Round three of the AFL Canberra First Grade season will hold some extra significance for Ainslie player Lachie Harper, as he lines up against his former club Belconnen for the first time.
Harper left the club which he had spent 10 years playing for at the end of last year after Belconnen decided not to renew their NEAFL contract.
“The decision to leave Belconnen didn’t have anything to do with the club or the guys, I still have a lot of good friends there and it’s a great club, I just left to attempt and play a better standard of football” Harper said.
After joining Ainslie at the end of last season Harpers decision paid off when he was awarded a place on the clubs NEAFL list.
Harper described the process of changing clubs as a very smooth one which was even easier than he thought it would be.
“There was a group of us who came across together, my brother [Jordan] and Dad [John] both made the move across too so that made things a bit easier… the guys have all been really friendly and I have got along well with everyone.”
While Harper is happy with his current form he understands that cracking a spot in Ainslie’s NEAFL team will continue to be a challenge.
“I am playing ok footy, but our NEAFL team is winning and everyone is playing really good footy which is a really good sign for the club, but it means I am going to have to keep working even harder.”
When asked if he thought that any of his old teammates might give him some slack on the weekend Harper laughed.
“My old mate Isaac Taylor always likes to take any opportunity he can to give me a hard time so he might on the weekend I suppose… It will be a bit interesting playing against a lot of good mates but I am really looking forward to putting in a good performance.”
While Harper was able to have a laugh about lining up against his old teammates he is still well aware Ainslie will have to bring their A game on Sunday, with Belconnen starting the season in blistering form so far.
“Belconnen are a really good side and they have started the season very well, it will be a really good challenge for us” Harper said.
Ainslie and Belconnen will encounter each other for the first time in 2015 when they meet at Kippax on Sunday afternoon at 2.15.
Can't make it to the game. Watch the live-stream on our youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds1wVl4eeZc
Last Modified on 15/05/2015 15:59