Ben Harrison (Australian footballer)
Encyclopedia
Ben Harrison is a former Australian rules football
er who played with Carlton
, Richmond
and the Western Bulldogs
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
A Tasmanian, Harrison was just 17 when he was picked up by Carlton in the 1992 AFL Draft
. He served a long apprenticeship before finally making his senior debut in 1995. His two games in 1995 were the only times he was able to break into the Carlton side, with the club forming such a strong 21 that they would go on to win the premiership that year. After taking home the reserve's "Best and Fairest" award in 1995, he joined his childhood friend Matthew Richardson at Richmond for the 1996 season
, having been traded for Justin Murphy.
He only played eight games in his first season with Richmond but was a regular member of the team in 1997. In the final round of the home and away season, Harrison kicked the winning goal in a two point win over Carlton. The result meant that his former club would miss the finals for the first time since 1992 and it would be the last game that their captain Stephen Kernahan
played in the AFL. During both the 1997 and 1998 seasons, Harrison spent some time up forward and kicked four goals on three occasions. He was however primarily a key defender, also used as a half back flanker and on the wing.
One of only three Richmond footballers to play in all 22 games in 1998, Harrison had perhaps his best league season. He took 114 marks, the second most by a player from his club, kicked 15 goals and averaged just under 19 disposals a game. Harrison also secured five Brownlow Medal
votes and finished fourth in the Jack Dyer Medal
count.
In 1999 he was restricted by a hamstring injuries and didn't play until round nine, but then didn't miss a game for the rest of the year. He added another 14 games the following season and was then on the trading table once again, swapped to the Western Bulldogs for the 41st pick of the 2000 AFL Draft
, which was used on Andrew Krakouer
. He proved to be a durable player for the Bulldogs, playing in 82 of a possible 88 games from 2001 to 2004. A knee injury kept him out of the seniors for much of 2005 and he retired at the end of the year. He never got to play finals football during his league career but participated in the 2005 VFL
Grand Final with Werribee
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
, Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
and the Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
A Tasmanian, Harrison was just 17 when he was picked up by Carlton in the 1992 AFL Draft
1992 AFL Draft
The 1992 AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League...
. He served a long apprenticeship before finally making his senior debut in 1995. His two games in 1995 were the only times he was able to break into the Carlton side, with the club forming such a strong 21 that they would go on to win the premiership that year. After taking home the reserve's "Best and Fairest" award in 1995, he joined his childhood friend Matthew Richardson at Richmond for the 1996 season
1996 AFL season
Results and statistics for the Australian Football League season of 1996.See List of Australian Football League premiers for a complete list.-Lighting Premiership:...
, having been traded for Justin Murphy.
He only played eight games in his first season with Richmond but was a regular member of the team in 1997. In the final round of the home and away season, Harrison kicked the winning goal in a two point win over Carlton. The result meant that his former club would miss the finals for the first time since 1992 and it would be the last game that their captain Stephen Kernahan
Stephen Kernahan
Stephen Scott Kernahan is a former Australian rules footballer best known for his career with the Carlton Football Club of the Australian Football League and the Glenelg Football Club of the SANFL from 1981 until 1997...
played in the AFL. During both the 1997 and 1998 seasons, Harrison spent some time up forward and kicked four goals on three occasions. He was however primarily a key defender, also used as a half back flanker and on the wing.
One of only three Richmond footballers to play in all 22 games in 1998, Harrison had perhaps his best league season. He took 114 marks, the second most by a player from his club, kicked 15 goals and averaged just under 19 disposals a game. Harrison also secured five Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
votes and finished fourth in the Jack Dyer Medal
Jack Dyer Medal
The Jack Dyer Medal is an Australian rules football award given each season to the player or players adjudged Best and Fairest for the Richmond Football Club....
count.
In 1999 he was restricted by a hamstring injuries and didn't play until round nine, but then didn't miss a game for the rest of the year. He added another 14 games the following season and was then on the trading table once again, swapped to the Western Bulldogs for the 41st pick of the 2000 AFL Draft
2000 AFL Draft
The 2000 AFL Draft was the annual draft of talented Australian rules football players by teams that participate in the Australian Football League. It consisted of a pre-season draft, a national draft, a trade period and a rookie elevation....
, which was used on Andrew Krakouer
Andrew J. Krakouer
Andrew James Krakouer is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played for the Richmond Football Club in the AFL and played for Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League .-Early life:Krakouer is the son...
. He proved to be a durable player for the Bulldogs, playing in 82 of a possible 88 games from 2001 to 2004. A knee injury kept him out of the seniors for much of 2005 and he retired at the end of the year. He never got to play finals football during his league career but participated in the 2005 VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
Grand Final with Werribee
Werribee Football Club
The Werribee Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club, based in Werribee, was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. Werribee was defeated by the Sandringham Football Club in the 2005 VFL Grand Final.-History:The Werribee Football Club...
.