Ashley Harrison facts for kids
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Personal information
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| Full name | Ashley Harrison | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 18 May 1981 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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Playing information
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| Height | 188 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 97 kg (15 st 4 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Lock, Five-eighth, Second-row | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ashley Harrison, born on May 18, 1981, is a former professional rugby league player from Australia. He played as a lock forward during the 2000s and 2010s.
He was a key player for the Gold Coast Titans in the National Rugby League (NRL). Ashley also represented Queensland in the famous State of Origin series. Before joining the Titans, he played for the Brisbane Broncos, where he won the 2000 NRL Premiership. He also played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters.
Contents
Ashley Harrison's Early Life
Ashley Harrison was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He grew up in a place known for its love of rugby league.
School and Junior Rugby
Harrison went to Wavell State High School in Brisbane. He started playing junior rugby for local teams like Brisbane Brothers and Norths Aspley.
In 1998, he was chosen to play for the Australian Schoolboys team. This was a big achievement for a young player.
Ashley Harrison's Professional Career
Ashley Harrison played for several top clubs during his career. He was known for his strong defense and leadership on the field.
Playing for the Brisbane Broncos
Harrison made his debut in the National Rugby League (NRL) for the Brisbane Broncos in February 2000. He played against the New Zealand Warriors.
In his first year, he was part of the Broncos team that won the 2000 NRL grand final. They defeated the Sydney Roosters in a thrilling match. Harrison came off the bench as an interchange player in that grand final win.
The Broncos then traveled to England for the 2001 World Club Challenge. They played against the Super League champions, St Helens R.F.C.. Harrison also played in this game, but the Broncos lost.
Time with the South Sydney Rabbitohs
After leaving the Broncos, Harrison moved to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. In 2004, he was named the club's best player, winning the George Piggins Medal.
He even served as the team captain for a short time in 2005. That same year, Harrison was selected to play for Queensland in Game III of the 2005 State of Origin series. This was a special moment, as he was the first South Sydney player in many years to represent Queensland in Origin.
His captaincy helped the Rabbitohs win many games towards the end of the 2005 season. They avoided finishing last, which was a great achievement.
Playing for the Sydney Roosters
Harrison then joined the Sydney Roosters for the 2006 NRL season. He played many games for the Roosters during his two years there. He was a consistent player, appearing in 41 out of 48 possible matches.
Joining the Gold Coast Titans
In 2008, Harrison returned to Queensland to play for the Gold Coast Titans. He became a key player for the Titans, usually playing as a lock forward. He also sometimes filled in as a five-eighth when needed.
State of Origin Appearances
Because of his strong performances, Harrison was named the 18th man for Queensland in the 2008 State of Origin series. He later started in both the second and third games of that series.
In April 2009, he was again named in the preliminary squad for Queensland for the opening State of Origin match.
Titans' Success and Retirement
In the 2009 NRL season, Harrison was part of the first Gold Coast Titans team to reach the finals. He played in both finals matches that year.
The following year, in 2010, the Titans had their best season. Harrison was a key part of the team that reached the preliminary final, just one step away from the Grand Final. They were eventually defeated by his old club, the Sydney Roosters.
In the 2011 NRL season, Harrison played fewer games due to injuries. The Gold Coast team finished last that year.
He was selected for Game I of the 2013 State of Origin series. Queensland won that series, extending their record to eight consecutive series victories.
On June 27, 2014, Ashley Harrison announced his retirement from rugby league. He had to retire earlier than he wanted because of a neck injury.
Images for kids
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Ashley Harrison playing for Queensland.
