Get to know Kez
Written by Helena Petrou
Among the 25,000 people in the stands at Ikon Park, Kerryn Harrington was witnessing Carlton do battle against Collingwood in the historic inaugural game of the AFLW competition.
A passionate Bluebagger since her early childhood, Harrington recalls being in ‘absolute awe’ of what she was seeing and had such a desire to be a part of the competition, that she ‘genuinely wanted to jump the fence’. Three years later ‘Kez’ has been named on the half back flank in back-to-back AFLW All-Australian teams (2019/20), achieved multiple top 10 Best and Fairest finishes, and is entering her second season as Co-Captain for the team she grew up supporting.
From cheering on the Blues in the stands since she can remember, to becoming a crucial component of Carlton’s backline, this is Harrington’s story.
The Baller from Bendigo
Growing up in the regional Victorian towns of Warrnambool and later Bendigo, playing football for a team wasn’t an option for ‘Kez’, let alone on the radar for her and other young girls alike.
Instead, she would participate in basketball training sessions at her local club from as young as five years old. Going on to show promise in the game, Harrington was fortunate enough to land a full scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra at 15 years old, playing alongside the likes of Opals star Liz Cambage.
Spending the next three years away from home at the AIS training to be a professional athlete, the foundation of what is needed to live an elite sporting life was ingrained in her from a young age. Harrington believes that spending time at the AIS has shaped her athletic career and continues to utilize her learnings from the AIS on her journey as a footballer, even passing on lessons she has learnt to her current teammates.
Going on to represent Australia for the first time at just 16 years old in Europe, to winning two gold medals for Australia at the FIBA Oceania U18 championships, Harrington had achieved a decorated basketball career before the age of 18. Her WNBL career as a point guard would span across 3 teams and over 150 games, so how is it that she came to play for Carlton?
Becoming a ‘Bagger
Since attending the AFLW season opener Harrington had been infatuated with now having the opportunity to play the game that she had been raised to be so passionate about by her dad, also an avid Carlton supporter. Putting her self-doubt and fear of failure behind her, ‘Kez’ attended an AFLW talent identification session held at Maribyrnong College in April 2017 where recruiters from all Victorian teams were present.
After undertaking a range of physical testing in which she finished in the top 3 for each category, she was pulled aside by then Carlton List Manager Graham Burgen.
A ten-minute kick to kick with Burgen is all it took for Harrington to be offered a contract by the Blues, speaking volumes of her natural talent. Putting a decade of dedication to Basketball behind her, Harrington signed as a rookie for Carlton. Reflecting on her arrival at the club Harrington believes that her experience in professional sporting environments played a large role in getting her onto the list. She states that ‘what I lacked for being able to kick a ball, I was able to make up for in how I prepared and recovered’, bringing a professional attitude to the team.
Not having missed a beat since her first pre-season where she was upgraded from a rookie to the senior list before her debut in round 1 2018, now a two time All-Australian and Co-Captain of the Carlton Football Club heading into her 4th season as an AFLW player, Harrington leads her blues into the 2021 season as flag favourites.
A vital component of Carltons talented backline, she will need to continue playing with her fearless and determined attitude to help keep the blues on the rise in the upcoming season. Labelled a ‘very natural born leader’ by former teammate Sarah Hosking, it came as no surprise to her teammates when Harrington was announced co-captain in only her third season. Thinking back to the leaders that have had the greatest impact over her career, ‘Kez’ aims to echo their leadership qualities in the hope that her teammates can benefit from her guidance, on and off the field. Harrington states that her memories of their great leadership attributes include “encouragement [and] teaching the lessons they’d learnt through their journey”, rather than discouragement and telling her she “wasn’t good enough”.
She emphasises the importance of “relying on lessons that others will teach you”, especially in a team sport, in an effort to help her teammates prevent making mistakes that can be avoided.
Coming off an All-Australian year where she averaged 14 disposals and 4 marks off the half back flank, Harrington has established herself as one of the league’s best defenders heading into the 2021 season. Deepening her Carlton connection, ‘Kez’ works full time as a Physiotherapist at Carlton with the men’s AFL side, often traveling to away games with the team, she’ll be pleased to now be playing under the guidance of AFLW assistant coach and Carlton legend Kade Simpson.
Described as “the rock at the heart of Carltons defence”, she’s bled blue from since she can remember and we cannot wait to see what is in store for season 2021.
