World Footy News

Scott Harding played 50 games over 5 seasons for the Brisbane Lions (48) and finally Port Adelaide Power (2). With limited success both personally, 15 goals, and team wise with Brisbane in the post 'Threepeat' era with only one finals appearance to his name. A somewhat unspectacular career. However, now at age 26, Harding has just scored a 'major' in front of 93,000 football fans - well, a touchdown actually.

Harding's last game for the Lions was a final - a win too - the 2009 Elimination Final and a famous come from behind effort storming home with 6 goals to 1 in the last quarter for a 7 point win over Carlton - much to the delite of then PM Kevin Rudd. In front of just under 33,000 fans - this was perhaps to be Harding's bitter sweet sporting highlight. That's been challenged now.

Since finishing up in the AFL, Harding's attention was focussed upon American Football (Gridiron). Working through the Pro-Kick Australia program, he was eventually invited to tryout with the University of Hawaii in the Western Atheltic Conference (WAC) of the NCAA Division 1. Harding's sister Emma also gained coverage as the partner of NRL to AFL code jumper Karmichael Hunt- having celebrated the arrival of their first child back in June.

Unlike other ex-AFL players to transition to American Football - Harding had initially debuted as a punt returner. He made his debut as a wide receiver last year (Sep 24) against UC Davis with 6 receptions for 67 yards, as well as doubling up as punt returner.

Across the weekend just gone, Harding, playing at the LA Memorial Coliseum before a sellout crowd of 93,607 (the largest crowd University of Hawaii has ever played before), playing as a wide receiver Harding ran in UH's sole touchdown in a 49-10 drubbing at the hands of USC (University of Southern California - who have had their own issues of late with NCAA Violations.).

Harding was interviewed this morning on Melbourne's sports radio station 1116 SEN with Tim Watson and Andy Maher.

In the SEN interview, Harding indicates that as well as playing wide receiver and punt returner and kick-off returner, he's also moonlighting now as the punter (given the regular punter, Alex Dunnachie, has received a club suspension for DUI) and so, is 'starting' in 4 positions. He reveals in the interview that he's been punting AFL style (presumably drop punts). Harding finished with 3 receptions for 43 yards with a longest of 18 yards; as well as one punt return for 39 yards.

The touchdown was also the first touchdown pass for QB Sean Schroeder. UH trailed by 35 (to nil) at the half.

Harding, listed as a Sophomore this year, was last year, as a Freshman, selected to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America first team, and also the Yahoo! Sports Freshman All-America second team as punt returner. He played 12 games as 'slot receiver' and return specialist with 19 punt returns for 141 yards and 12 kick returns for 253 yards.