Jets hits his century in season number 10

They say time heals all wounds - whether the sentiment is being reserved for reconciling personal trauma, or in football parlance to imply a club may have finally ‘gotten over’ a devastating loss. At the University Blacks this week, the concept of enough time passing by to present once unthinkable achievements being realised is firmly front and centre amongst the minds of our playing group.

A lesson in determination, commitment, discipline and, above all, trust in the unique relationships at the Blacks has shone through as Club veteran and fan favourite, Joel Ernest reaches his 100-game milestone for the Club. As the Blacks are back in A Grade, on the cusp of playing the first Uni Derby since July 2017, it is a fantastic chance for our new and younger players to learn about how the Club can make a positive impact on your career and life.

Those who know Joel will know that this moment has been a long time coming. Joel himself could be excused for thinking on many a separate occasion that this milestone would not eventuate. For any who do not know Joel, let us take you on a genuinely great Blacks footballing story.

Above: Joel and the best Argentine recruit the Blacks have ever had, "Nacho". 

Joel debuted with the Blacks in 2014, playing his first game in Round 1 with the enigmatic Under 19s team (which happened to be coached by fellas called Justin & Justin, like it was something out of a comedy skit – Justin Gray and Justin Davies for those wondering). Joel was fresh off the chopping block at Port Melbourne VFL.  After a chance encounter at the Blacks MU Sport Open Day stall (Damage Gray swears he was trying to lure Joel and not his school-mate and friend, Darcy Moore), and a ‘call from the Blacks Godfather’, Ray Wilson, Joel found himself pulling on a black and blue jumper. Before he knew it, he was running rings around Caulfield at Glenhuntly Oval, claiming 3 goals and a best-on-ground display in his only Under 19s performance.

Since that first game, Joel was a hit with the Club. His lightning acceleration, clean hands, and wise decision-making made Joel an attractive option for then Senior Coach, Cam Roberts, to elevate into the team that was destined to break the 40-year drought since the Clubs last A Grade flag in 1974. Receiving a “VAFA Rising Star” nomination by Round 7 – see picture – Joel went on to play in that remarkable double-premiership, and can be seen to this day in the team photo proudly hung on the wall in the front bar of the Clyde Hotel.

Not a bad start to a Blacks career hey?

After a pre-season in 2015 where Joel consulted heavily with the one-in-a-million S&C Coach Karlos about ‘getting bigger’ (that could have been mistaken as preparing for an ‘Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic’), “Jets” began to experience some rather unfortunate hamstring injuries. Perhaps his biggest asset had become his undoing, leading to the first of many rehab assignments that he approached with complete professionalism. At the end of 2015, Jets was part of perhaps the greatest Blacks footy trip of all time, as the junket headed internationally to Thailand. Talk about being in the right place at the right time, 2 years of Blacks footy, and 2 once-in-a-generation Blacks experiences.

Going back to the drawing board throughout 2016, Joel searched for a formula that worked after the same hamstring injuries kept him on and off the field yet again. Blacks faithful would recall that “Jets doing a string” became an all too familiar sight during that period of time. However, Joel refused to give up hopes of playing consistent footy again, and in 2017 managed to play some of his best footy to date.

Moved by Coach Roberts out of the forward line and unleashed at half-back, Jets began to find his groove. Despite the unfortunate end to the Blacks campaign that befell us in 2017, Joel certainly put his best foot forward in the losing effort, finishing 3^rd in the Cordner Medal. His dash off half-back and ability to also play lockdown football as a defender when required caught the eyes of the Richmond VFL recruiting team. Before long, Jets was running around Punt Rd Oval taking on the likes of Alex Rance and Dion Prestia in training and match sim, and matching it with them! (During a Richmond intra-club he once tackled Cotchin for holding the ball and even managed to corral Dusty against the boundary line when he was at the peak of his powers).

In 2018, Joel made his debut under Craig McRae. He played in 11 games and more than held his own in the side, earning another go-around in 2019. However, just when things were once more looking bright for Jets, this time he sustained a nasty ankle injury that kept him out for 13 weeks. Richmond’s AFL/VFL teams both had outstanding seasons and one of Joel’s great experiences was being around to take in the double AFL/VFL premiership in 2019. Never one to forget about his Blacks mates though, Jets was very available, always checking in on his ‘home club’ and jumped at the chance to be part of the Clubs Final’s campaign of B Grade once more. The Blacks were agonisingly scuppered at the death again in the Prelim Final and Joel remained steadfast with his teammates during the tough times, not becoming lost in the clouds tagging along in the Richmond celebrations.

Arriving in 2020, Joel was ready to wrap up his VFL adventure but the question of whether to continue playing or at least where to play, never really crossed his mind. Of course, the only answer was to return full-time to the Blacks! Fast forward through a pandemic, Jets has been warmly welcomed back at the Club, quietly but excellently plying his trade wherever he has been asked to do so by the coaches.

These days, if you ever need to find Jets during the week, you’ll easily have an idea of where to start looking. It is an absolute rarity that the man ever misses a session, whether it is training on a Tues/Thurs + Clyde for dinner or early morning on Mon/Wed, putting the time into getting his body right in the Tin Room. He is a creature of habit in every good way possible; when Jets says he is going to do something, there is no question as to his reliability or sincerity.

Throughout his journey since 2014, despite the ups and downs, Joel has been supported by the same constants during his ride. Parents David and Libby are great supporters at Blacks matches; Joel admits that David ‘is a lover of the value provided for $5 at the famous Pavvy Arvo Teas’. Nevertheless, David’s keen interest in the Club and his care for the people involved is always appreciated and it is clear to see that Jets has had incredible support from them – and his beautiful partner Phoebe - during his times of need.

When asked about Joel, Blacks’ Co-Captain, long-time teammate, and good friend Campbell Moorfield, attested that he “doubts there are many recent players to have faced as much adversity to bring up his milestone as much as Jets has. His dedication to the Club and to getting himself right to play through this adversity has been inspiring to his teammates and epitomises what the Blacks are about. I truly believe that Jets is just two good hamstrings away from being a multiple Cordner medallist.”

And so, on the cusp of game 100, Joel can go about his usual Saturday morning routine with the confidence in knowing that every Blacks player to play alongside him is all the better for it. You would not meet a single player who would say a bad word about Jets; tremendously humble, always quick to deflect to the team when being asked ‘how did you go?’, and above all has handled his adversity with true resolve and strength of character. It is a genuine delight to see Jets reach his milestone match, and as teammate Sam McKenzie pointed out on Thursday night at the Clyde, “you know he is deceptively quick” (just not in reaching his 100)!!

We are all proud of you mate and can’t wait to see you light it up as always come 2pm. Love from your Blacks friends, past & present!

Q and A 

Any standout/strange memories from Under 19s?

My one and only game with the U19s was Round 1 of 2014, where I rocked up and got handed the number 83 jersey and didn't know a single name. There were at least 5 guys that went by Harry, so that was a safe thing to yell when calling for the ball. Bucketing sideways but a great start to my Blacks career. 

Favourite player to watch when growing up?

I'm a proud dees man and looked up to the captain and prime goal scorer in David Neitz. Have taken that through by wearing his famous number 9 at the Blacks as soon as it became available in 2015 after Scott Weekly's retirement.

Who has had the most influence on your career?

My parents have each had careers in medicine and health, so a natural influence for me to go for a generic science degree. I was also guided by Dan Costello to do my honours through a connection at UniMelb after a science degree, which was a concussion study involving the playing group at the Blacks. Despite constant Blacks support, I was unsuccessful in being accepted into medicine, and although not necessarily the path that I had thought, this has launched my career in clinical research. I have loved the journey though and wouldn't change it if I could.

Thriftiest/biggest tightarse at the Club?

The Tin room legends are easily the thriftiest blokes - we have never paid for a gym membership.

Favourite subject at high school?

PE with a side of German

Favourite teammate? (Ok we have a feeling you won’t be able to single out one person as you can be quite neutral sometimes, so how about players you looked up to the most early days at the Club?) 

Hard to not land on the fence here. I have always looked up to others to improve my game. I didn't mind sitting in the forward line at the feet of the trio Adam Pattison, Bear Robbins and Jandre Slabbert. If only they had dropped a few more marks to allow me to do my job crumbing at ground level.​ Hard to look past Bede and Chuck though early days. They had you in awe sometimes at what they could do.

Any interesting pre-game routines?

Throughout my whole Blacks career, you will find me have half a bottle of hydralyte pre-game and the other half at halftime. I have convinced myself that this prevents me from calf cramping in games.

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

Anywhere warm as things start to cool down. Byron Bay or Port Douglas to work on my tan. Gotta pick my timing though to make sure it's low UV.

What is your ideal way to spend a Sunday off following a game, before heading back to the grind of a work week during the season? 

I enjoy a good coffee and brunch and then heading along to watch some Sunday footy at the G.

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

Hard to go past the famous 2014 A-Grade Grand Final double Premiership as an all-time favourite memory. I appreciate this more and more as the seasons go by. Off field, there are footy trips, BODs, pub crawls, balls, boy’s flinging ‘em open for after parties, and after-after parties to name a few. But without question, the sustained friendships and connections with a quality group of people is easily the most valuable return I have from investing in this great Club.