Harry Grant forever etched on Magarey Grove

Harry Grant is now starting to grasp SANFL’s rich history after unveiling his plaque on Magarey Grove at Adelaide Oval.

Central District’s seventh Magarey Medallist, Grant was feted in a ceremony on Monday morning which included his parents, siblings and friends who travelled from as far as Canberra to share the special occasion.

Bulldogs Magarey Medallists Gary Window (1965) and Grant’s League coach Paul Thomas (2004) were also on hand to welcome Grant to the treasured path of illustrious greats of South Australian football.

”To see so many family and friends travel all this way for me is really special,” Grant said.

”It has sunk in a little bit but you can’t comprehend the names you are sitting next to now, especially when you look at all the other names on the plaques before me.

”Being so young, I guess when I am older and have a family of my own, it will be pretty special to show them one day. It is unbelievable.”

Originally from Canberra club Queanbeyan Tigers, Grant has now played a total of 45 Hostplus SANFL League games since making his debut in 2021.

Featuring in just seven League matches in 2022 – chiefly due to persistent injuries – the former GWS Academy player has quickly forged a reputation as one of the competition’s leading midfielders in 2023.

Grant also claimed honours in the 2023 R. O Shearman Medal as voted by SANFL coaches and the 2023 SANFL Now Player of the Year Award, adjudged by the commentators.

Averaging 26 disposals and seven clearances last year, the Bulldogs’ No.10 was a driving force behind his team’s return to the major round for the first time since 2017.

And now the 22-year-old is hungry for more as he is pushed to higher standards at training by Woodville-West Torrens recruit Kai Pudney.

”I’m feeling really, really good and we’ve had a lot of good blokes come into the footy club who have pushed me to get better as well,” Grant said.

”I’m quite a fit bloke but we’ve got blokes who have come in who are fitter than me like Kai Pudney.

”He has pushed me this preseason and got me into better nick than I was in last year by raising the bar and finding ways to get better.”