Harken feels at home in maroon and gold

Lions midfielder Jayme Harken has worn many hats in her sporting life, but it’s playing for Subiaco where she feels she found her feet.

She said the chance to play the game she’d always loved has been incredible.

“I got down to footy and fell in love with it straight away,” she said.

“I think I’ve finally found my calling and wish I’d found it a little bit earlier.”

Coming from Northam in country WA, she took up Auskick as a junior, but didn’t have the same opportunity to continue her football growing up as the boys in her town did.

Instead, Harken said she took up every other sport available to her.

She competed internationally in martial arts until 2016, while balancing a state-level netball career, and had a go at basketball, tennis, and swimming over the years.

A self-confessed “mad spectator” of AFL, Harken took up football five years ago after the emergence of AFLW, and hasn’t looked back.

She started off her career as a 22-year-old with Subiaco’s former women’s side Coastal Titans. 

She began as a tagger in the midfield, before moving to a role in the backline: a similar position to her netball days.

She said she’s grateful for the opportunity the club gave her.

“I am so thankful that the club supported me in being part of such a proud club,” she said.

Harken’s arrival to Subiaco came at a time when there was a lot of success for both the men’s and women’s sides.

She said she had a desire to be a part of the winning ways of the club.

“As a female representing the League team, I wanted to make sure that we were part of that legacy as well,” she said.

“I'm super proud to be a part of the club and want to continue that success moving forward.”

As she grew her knowledge of how to play the game, so did her love for playing it. 

Now 26, Harken has found her way back into the midfield, but this time as a genuine ball winner in Subiaco’s engine room.

She’s tied first in the league in disposals after three rounds, averaging 18.7 per game, and is fourth for total marks (12) and in the top 10 for tackles (15).

She said it was all off the back of her 2021 campaign.

“Everything clicked last year as a defender,” she said.

“I had the opportunity to move back into the midfield now that I have an understanding of the game.

“I’m really loving it and embracing it, and I think I’m building.”

However, Harken said she’s critical of herself and is always looking to improve. 

Following a couple of stints as a train-on player with West Coast’s women’s side, she said she dreams of playing at the highest level.

“I'm aware that I'm 26 and it's getting more and more difficult to be a mature age draftee,” she said.

“I’m a ready-made player and I’d put everything into being an AFLW player.

“I’m hoping I could bring something unique to any team that was interested.”

Harken continued, saying if it’s not meant to be, she’s loving playing footy at the Lions.

At the club, she’s a well-respected member of the group, and is in her second year as the league side’s vice-captain.

She said leadership roles are never something you chase when playing, but said it’s comforting having the approval from your teammates.

“It's nice to be recognised by your peers that you are that leader,” she said.

“The way I think about it is I'm in this position because the things I'm doing are right.

“...show that work ethic and display my values: dedication, commitment, loyalty and support to the club.”

She continues to pay forward the lessons she’s learned in football as an assistant coach for the Rogers Cup side, where she’s able to mentor Subiaco’s next generation.

Having played 41 matches across her career, Harken said the league has come a long way in just five seasons.

She credited the decision to align the women’s side with Subiaco to create a professional environment.

“There’s been a huge growth in professionalism from a support staff perspective,” she said.

“Also the marketing of the game, getting girls out on social media and promoting the entire competition.

“The league teams getting Champion Data has been huge to expose the competition and grow the sport even more.”

When asked about the future of the women’s game, Harken was very excited for both the national competition and the WAFLW.

She was hopeful those playing AFLW would become full-time athletes, and hoped that those playing in the state leagues would be recognised in a semi-professional level.

In terms of women’s football as a whole, she hoped there could be a flow-on effect.

“If players became full-time athletes, the growth of the sport would go through the roof, so the future of the sport is huge,” she said.

“I think it can become the number one women’s sport in the country.”