Captain Jack reaches 150 games milestone

Jack Ahearn returns to where it all started tomorrow for a milestone match in one of the Queensland Cup’s most remarkable careers.

Ahearn will play his 150th match when the Devils meet the Falcons at Sunshine Coast Stadium, where Ahearn made his debut.

That was on 8 March 2014 for a Souths Logan team that included Canberra back Jordan Rapana, the late and dearly missed Mitch Cronin and the longest-serving Cup veteran of all in Phil Dennis.

Luke Archer wore the No.1 jersey that day for the Magpies and he’ll be part of the Devils’ matchday team tomorrow.

The Magpies won that game 28-12 and it’s clear that the humble Ahearn only wants the same thing for his 150th tomorrow and for Connor Broadhurst’s 75th game for Norths.

Ahearn and Broadhurst were acknowledged before Devils training last night but Ahearn wasn’t lying when he said he “hadn’t really given 150 games much thought”.

It’s something the Devils captain says he’ll reflect more on when he eventually retires from football, whenever that may be, and when he’ll think more about the blur of honours from recent years.

Almost 100 of his games have come with the Devils after his stints with Souths Logan and Redcliffe.

“It’s good to reach 150 games but it’s not something I’ve thought about a lot for this weekend,” Ahearn said.

“I’ve really enjoyed the friendships from across my career and growing along the way as a person.

“But this weekend is all about trying to win against a quality team.”
One of Ahearn’s greatest mates from his football career spoke during last night’s presentation.

Jon Reuben has been alongside Ahearn since they played in the Canberra Raiders’ Under 20 team and they shared in the Devils’ 2021 premiership success.

In between, Reuben had a stint in a Falcons jersey with some memorable moments on the ground where the Devils will play tomorrow.

“Jack’s set an example for a lot of players and he’s been a leader and someone who helps teammates on and off the field,” Reuben said.

Devils coach Dave Elliott praised Ahearn’s contribution to a squad that picked up momentum with heavy wins over Mackay Cutters and Northern Pride on the last two weekends.

“Jack really is a special part of this club’s history with two premierships,” Elliott said.

“But he’s meant a lot more to the club and his teammates than just the premierships. He’s a professional, he’s a leader and he’s a very popular player with fans.

“He’ll share this milestone game with Broady and it’s fitting because both players have been a significant part of this club.”

Broadhurst will become just the 16th Devil to reach 75 games for the club since the Queensland Cup era began in 1996.

He has missed only one match since joining the Devils in 2019 and would be close to 100 games for the club now if not for the Covid-ruined 2020 season.

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