KICKING AHEAD BY PETER ARGENT
Harrison Wigg puts his best foot forward as he boots the Roosters into attack against the Crows. Photo: Matt Talbot/Ozsportphotos
Harrison Wigg may have one of SANFL’s elite kicks but he’s done the hard yards in footy. His career has had its peaks and troughs, with plenty of heartbreak, so he deserves the footy gods to shine on him now. Kicking off at the Fitzroy and Walkerville Cats clubs in the Adelaide Footy League, Wigg impressively made his way along the pathway for talented junior footballers, playing in the State under-16 program, coached by Darel Hart in 2012, and was the Croweaters’ under-18 MVP when they won the national crown in 2014, coached by SANFL head of talent Brenton Phillips. “Harrison was always an elite kick … it was such a lovely action, as left-footers generally are,” Phillips said. “He kicked the ball so nicely at those champs – his ability to hit targets was exceptional.” Wigg credits his late father Colin for his wonderful skill. He would kick with him constantly in the backyard in the early years, along with endlessly kicking to himself. Sadly, his father passed away when Harrison was 15, not having the chance to see his son excel at national under-18 and SANFL level. Wigg earned All-Australian under-18
selection along with SA’s Caleb Daniel, Billy Stretch and Jake Johansen. Other members of the 2014 All-Australian class included household names Christian Petracca, Darcy Moore, Isaac Heeney, Peter Wright, Jack Steele, Angus Brayshaw and Darcy Parish. “Harrison has been robbed by injury at the wrong times and didn’t have the luck when he needed it,” Phillips said. Wigg was claimed by the Crows with pick No. 35 in the ’14 AFL draft and he started at SANFL league level under Heath Younie in 2015. “I had three years on the Crows list and played 49 SANFL games for them,” Wigg said. “I was on the Gold Coast list for the 2018 and 2019 campaigns but, because of injury, I was lucky if I played a game-anda-half at NEAFL level. During that time I had a broken ankle (twice) and an ACL injury.” Wigg returned to North and played his 100th SANFL game in 2022. “I’d like to play 100 for the Roosters, that gets your name on the locker,” he said. “We have a close unit at Prospect, a good bunch of blokes and good coaching group. With guys like Mitch Harvey, Alex Spina and Campbell Combe, we’ve been playing together (at North) since
the juniors. I just want to play at the highest level possible and help our younger players become consistent league footballers, passing on what I’ve learnt to these lads.” Wigg is vice-captain to Spina, “and naturally because both of us didn’t play in the 2018 flag, there is that drive for us to be premiership players at North”. Wigg has missed out on grand final day three times, in the under-18s in 2014 against Woodville-West Torrens, at league level also against the Eagles in 2020 and in ’22 when Norwood pipped North at the post. After shining in junior State jumpers, Wigg has stepped up in the traditional red, blue and gold SA guernsey with great success, starring in this year’s win against WAFL. “I’ve played three games at senior State level for SA,” said Wigg, who works in the building trade in his uncle Phil’s business, where they carry out heritage restorations, his job having taken him to Sydney and New Zealand. “The first was against Western Australia in Perth in 2022 and the two matches this season. SANFL footy is in a great spot having beaten the VFL and WAFL this year and it’s always a privilege to don that jumper.” sanfl.com.au
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