Have you Heard? It’s Jack’s 100th

Norwood Vice Captain Jack Heard will bring up his 100th SANFL match this Friday night against arch rivals Port Adelaide in an Anzac Day Eve clash at Coopers Stadium.

The 2022 SANFL Premiership player has been an incredibly consistent and reliable defender for the Redlegs since his League debut in Round 14, 2020, barely missing a match since then.

The 25-year-old said it had been a great opportunity to reflect on a career that started with the Redlegs, way back in the U13 Development Squad.

“I am really proud of it (the 100-game milestone),” Heard said on The Redlegs Review Podcast this week.

“You don’t often reflect on your career, so it’s been nice to do that over the past couple of days, some really good memories come up.

“(I remember) my second game, playing Port at The Parade in Round 1 2021, about 6000 people here, that was awesome and I felt like I belonged and could see myself playing a lot more footy at the level.

“The Flag is obviously one the pops up, I probably didn’t realise how special it was at the time but there’s so many fond memories building up through the season. And, then in more recent years, playing alongside (brother) Finn, that’s been a really cool experience. I’ve developed so many friendships here.”

From the Walkerville Football Club originally, and growing up close to Coopers Stadium, Heard said it was “special” to go on to play League football with the Redlegs.

“That’s been something I have reflected on this week,” he said.

“There’s so many players that come from interstate, other clubs, local footy, which is what makes the club great, but I feel so fortunate to have played footy here since U13s. Growing up around the corner, it feels very local, and it’s special that I’ve been able to play so much footy at a club which is so close to where I grew up.

“The commitment to SANFL is big, but the longer I’ve got into my career here, the more I’ve loved it, and you become entrenched, you make strong friendships and relationships, and so has my girlfriend, there is such a tight-knit community feel here. You can get that from a local football club, but my version of that is here.”

Heard was a key member of Norwood’s Premiership run in 2022, when he was just 22 years old, but having lost a grand final in 2024, and a preliminary final last year, he said his drive to chase the next premiership had never been stronger.

“It makes me want to get back there so much, that’s why I’m still here,” he said.

“The long nights, the tough sessions, at the end of the day it’s one moment, but it’s the lifetime of memories. We have our five-year reunion next year and I can’t wait to see them and remember what we did.

“It’s a pretty different group, there’s nine guys who played in the 2022 Grand Final (still here), so we’ve turned a new chapter, and with Sheeds I think we’re gearing up for something special – I’m pretty optimistic and excited about the potential to get back there.”

Listen to the full interview below.