Introduction Tasmanian 'tough-nut' Ryan Harwood was recruited to the Lions as a genuine inside midfielder with great agility. He looks set to become an important part of the Lions' future midfield brigade. Background • Harwood began his football journey with local Tasmanian club Glenorchy and represented his State in the U18 National Championships. • He proved a valuable inside midfielder and was the leading clearance winner at the 2009 U18 Championships. He averaged over 21 disposals, 5.6 clearances and 4 tackles per game which earned him selection in the U18 All-Australian side. • He impressed during October's Draft Camp and came equal second in the new kicking test designed by former Collingwood Captain Nathan Buckley with a score of 22/30 (73%). He also finished among the Camp's leaders in the agility testing. • He also graduated from the esteemed AIS-AFL Academy in 2009. • Harwood became the Lions' fifth senior listed Tasmanian for 2010 when they selected him with pick number 47 at the National Draft.
2010 • Newcomer Ryan Harwood started his season in the Reserves and proved himself quickly to be a highly skilled, tough midfielder. • He injured his ankle in round 1 for the Reserves against the NT Thunder and left the match on crutches. However, it wasn’t enough to take down the steely young gun and he returned for the reserves in round 3, throwing himself fearlessly into packs and showing no sign of weakness. • Harwood regularly found himself to be amongst the best on ground, and he was rewarded for his consistency and attitude with a senior call-up to make his debut against Geelong in round 17, where he collected 18 disposals. • Harwood remained on the senior side for the rest of the season and was consistent in the Lions’ midfield with three goals, 22 tackles and 87 disposals over these six games. 2011 • Despite a solid summer which saw him feature in two of the Lions' pre-season matches, Harwood managed just one senior game in the first half of the season. • He was a regular performer with the Lions Reserves where he stood out with his impressive inside game. But the Club were keen to develop his outside skills and rotate him through a few different positions. • He earned another senior call-up in Round 13 and three weeks later collected a career-high 22 disposals against Port Adelaide. But a quiet match against Geelong in Round 17 saw him relegated back to the Reserves. • Harwood was one of a handful of young Lions players who re-committed to the Club late in the season by signing a two year extension on his contract. • He finished his second season with a total of seven games (one more than his debut year) and averaged 13.8 disposals per match.
The Brisbane Lions will include three young midfielders in an attempt to improve their speed in the lead-up to their clash with EssendonFriday, May 13, 2011 - 2:18PM
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