Jordan Quaile - 100 Blacks Games

Webster’s defines ‘Courage’ as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty”. 

The Blacks Dictionary defines it as Jordan Quaile. As a football player, as a leader, as a person and as a friend, he is the pure definition of mentally and morally strong; venturing into and persevering through danger, fear and difficulty. 

When we sat down and shared stories about Jordan at the Club over the past week, this theme shone brighter than all others. Jordan is respected first and foremost for his courage. 

Whether it be his courage to push himself to be the match-winner in big time games; his perseverance to push through annoying and repetitive injuries; or the strength to challenge himself as a person and leader - his compassionate and empathetic nature, reinforced by a strong will, has only grown larger over time. Nige is everything that is great about the Blacks. 

When he runs out onto Waverley Oval at 2:00pm this Saturday afternoon, marking his 100th appearance for the mighty Black & Blue, Nigel will be fulfilling a shared prophecy that many of us envisioned years ago when he first arrived at the Club in 2014.

That year was a remarkably special year for us, with the obvious Premiership triumphs putting an exclamation point on two decades of tremendous Club success, on and off field. Perhaps though, more importantly, 2014 was a fantastic year for our enigmatic breeding ground, the Under 19s. 

Since coming to us in that season, Jordan, along with his close friends, Curns (Hugh Curnow), Harv (Harry King), Jets (Joel Ernest) and Hack (Zach Harris), have stuck around the Club through the good times and the not-so-good times.

And by God are we glad he has stuck around - not that leaving has perhaps ever crossed his mind. From 2014, Nige has become a cult figure, a true leader, an inspiration to watch come Saturday, and an all round good bloke. 

Consistently at the Blacks, the notion of how good you are at Footy, is secondary to the type of person you are. Well, this could not be truer in the case than for Jordan, as his former Senior coach, Cam Roberts remarked, “for all the talent he possesses as a player, he is by far an even better human.” 

Nicknamed Nigel (once played a game with broken ribs, à la Nigel Lappin), Psycho, Bird, Quadzilla, he is a true asset to the Blacks community, the type of person that any Club would dearly hope to see walk through its doors, knowing that the place will be all the better for it.

Compare the pair...

His Blacks CV is widely lauded and admired, but at the risk of further embarrassing him (we can only imagine how red in the face he is getting reading all of this), we will leave the list of his achievements to be reeled off on another day. 

Instead, we thought it would be a better chance for us to share with you, the Blacks family (and those who perhaps don’t know the current playing generation as well as you used to), a better insight into what makes Nige tick (and what better way to do that than a good old fashioned Q and A!). 

How did you end up at the Club?

During Queen's College O-Week I just joined in at Blacks training without knowing too much about it. Turned out that a lot of my Queen's mates decided to play at Blues but it was a no-brainer to stay - ended up getting those mates across to the Blacks a few years later.

Any standout/strange memories from Under 19s?

Highlights: Couple of bus trips that bonded an eclectic bunch of young men. One to Murchison and one to Parkdale. 

Lowlight: During the Uni holidays we played a game against Whitefriars with 13 players plus two randoms that had never played before. Long day.

Favourite player to watch when growing up?

Big Essendon fan as a kid. Kevin Sheedy came to Ulverstone one time and I told him that Kepler Bradley was my favourite player - interesting choice....

Thriftiest player at the Club?

Harry King is thrifty! Keen for the houseparty at the new pad, Harv.

Favourite subject at high school?

Self confessed maths nerd.

Favourite teammate?

Plenty of favourites. The most inspiring player I've played with is Charlie Richardson - that look and hug he gave you just before running out... oh boy where's the nearest brick wall?!?!

Any interesting pre-game routines?

Nope, don't have a routine really.

If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now and holiday for a week covid-free, where would it be?

Would that mean I miss my 100th game and have to do another one of these interviews next week? I'll stay thanks. USA road trip high on bucket list though. 

Last book you read?

The Yield, by Tara June Winch. An important read.

Last but not least, favourite Blacks memory, on or off the field.

There are many but definitely the 2014 Reserves flag, won in extra time. I am very grateful that I got to play that day. 

A left field memory is my first Classic Clyde after my first senior game in 2014. Meeting the Commadeurs, Angus Drysdale taking me under his wing and then Jack Heeley getting up and doing an Action Man - I didn't know what was going on but was so happy to be there. Plenty more memories to make, I'm still young!

Go well this weekend mate - do what you do best! 100 big ones is nothing to scoff at. We love you and really hope you enjoy the whole day as it comes your way, despite us knowing that you’d rather the spotlight be on the team than you. You deserve it!

Love from your Blacks friends and family, past and present.