Former Canberra Demons captain will make his comeback this weekend after injuries ruined his two-year stint at North Melbourne in the VFL.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Harper will be a great mid-season acquisition for the Demons, who play the Northern Territory Thunder in Darwin on Saturday night.
Harper, as two-time Demons best and fairest winner, played just six games in two years at North Melbourne after moving south to try to launch an AFL career.
"I suppose last year for me was filled with injuries, so it was pretty much a write off and this year it was just frustrating not to get on the park. But I suppose that's football," Harper said.
"I would describe [my experience with North Melbourne] in a couple of words, probably just as a learning experience. You get exposed to what an AFL system is like obviously being involved in an elite environment, with elite people around."
Harper has kept a close eye on the Demons' quick rise up the NEAFL ladder and couldn't resist an opportunity to play for the club again when coach Kade Klemke came calling.
"Watching last year and watching them win eight games in a row to make finals, I was definitely keeping track of their progress. To seeing Mitch Maguire get going, he was absolutely killing it last year," Harper said.
"Kade called me a couple of weeks ago to come back to Canberra in the NEAFL and obviously contribute at a high level.
"I feel as though that's what I am most looking forward too ... it was too good to refuse."
Klemke was excited about the experience Harper would bring to his young squad.
"As a two-time best and fairest winner, the best thing about Jordan is his ability to be a great leader," Klemke said.
"Going to North Melbourne he would have learned a lot just by being on the inside of an AFL system, and hopefully he can bring those things back to our footy club.
"Jordan is going to be very valuable as a player and hopefully he is really going to help us push towards finals."
Harper said he was excited for his first game back for the Demons, adding the club was positioned well to chase another finals berth.
"They have lost a couple games by under a goal, if you get on the other side of those, they are suddenly four [wins] and two [losses]," Harper said.
"They were at the same point this time last year and they came up and made a preliminary final so anything can happen.
"I am actually really excited ... It will be good to run around with the boys and get some quality time with the team."
NEAFL ROUND EIGHT
Saturday: NT Thunder v Canberra Demons at TIO Stadium, Darwin, 6:30pm. Live stream: NEAFL TV.
CANBERRA
B: 25. S Martyn 2. A Paech 12. J Spina
HB: 18. A Baker 29. B Halse 35. T Highmore
C: 36. L Meline 6. A Smout 17. J Osborne
HF: 4. A Bruce 24. H Carr 16. M Hardie
F: 27. R Pollock 13. T Faul 9. J Powell
R: 19. J Maynard 20. J Harper 8. M Maguire
Int: 15. K Evans 26. N Eynaud 23. G Richardson 21. M Vardanega 7. C Owen-Auburn*
Emg: 30. J Adamson
In: 20. J Harper
Out: 28. A Kinasch (omitted)
NT THUNDER
B: 3. B Rioli 39. D Johnston 21. C Williams
HB: 58. N Lockyer Jnr 28. T Davies 19. B McLean
C: 16. K Parnell 37. D Barry 10. S Rioli
HF: 42. K Delahunty 5. C Gallio 4. D Staunton
F: 41. C Thiele 26. T Melville 12. A Tipungwuti
R: 7. J Hannath 24. A Ankers 34. B Carroll
Int: 20. J Monigatti 22. N Paredes 23. R Tambling 18. J Templeton 36. B Taylor*
Emg: 48. J Stevens 45. S Dyke 49. B Rusca
In: 23. R Tambling 58. N Lockyer Jnr 42. K Delahunty 41. C Thiele
Out: 25. N Yarran (injured) 1. D Weetra 11. P Wills 14. H Drogemuller (all unavailable)
New: 58. N Lockyer Jnr 41. C Thiele
