By ZAC MILBANK
Reaching 100 Statewide Super League games was something Eagles ruckman Jarrad Redden never thought he would achieve.
As he prepares to chalk up triple figures against Central at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Sunday, the 205cm giant thought his SANFL journey had ended at the conclusion of 2016.
After managing 16 AFL games in seven seasons on Port Adelaide’s list due to serious shoulder and knee injuries, Redden felt he needed to head back to where it all began in 2017.
Speaking on SANFL Radio, the Yorke Peninsula product played for his beloved Southern Eagles where he linked up with brother Daniel for a season.
And it wasn’t until he had a chance meeting with then Eagles Football Manager Luke Powell on a worksite that he considered making a return to SANFL ranks.
But after scratching the itch to play senior football with his sibling, the 28-year-old has returned to Oval Avenue for the past two seasons after reigniting his love for the game.
Boasting exceptionally clean hands for a ruckman, the Eagles’ No.55 can also take a strong catch inside attacking 50m as well as palming the ball with precision at centre stoppages.
And that is exactly what the legion of Yorke Peninsula family members and friends hope to see when they make the ”trek” to Woodville to see Redden run out for the 100th occasion after making his League debut in Round 16 of 2008.
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