Long-time teammate and close friend Tom Cousins jumped at the opportunity to put together some words of appreciation and tribute to our spring-heeled ruckman, so read on and learn about the fantastic journey Tunners has had in his time at the Blacks since 2015. Take it away Nugget!
'Tun, Tunners, Tunwa, Hole-in-one-bridge and now Jordan One HunBridge’ are just a few of the nicknames affectionately given to the great man over his journey to the incredibly special and well-deserved milestone of 100 games at the Blacks. As a third generation blacker, his journey to 100 games has not followed the conventional path, with his early 20’s being interrupted by injury, work and other pursuits such as commanding the bar at Arcadia Hotel a.k.a "the Shark Park". Like a fine wine, Tunners’ has continued to get better with age, seemingly coming back more athletic year-on-year and defying the constraints of age that usually beckons other players into retirement. In addition to this, it’s his curiosity for the game and desire to constantly develop and improve that makes me sure that there are many more games left in the tank for the number 45, providing other life priorities don’t get in the way!
I’ve been fortunate enough to play many of these 100 games with Tunners, with a common thread among many past teammates' recollections involving praising his sublime ruck craft and his uncanny ability to outmark, outwit and outwork many an opposition ruckman. He’s the sort of player that’s capable of turning a game on its head through high flying marks, dazzling runs and selling more candy than Boomer Harvey (as summed up by great mate and long-time teammate Lew Steere). One of my personal favourite "Tunbridge highlight's" occurred recently; Tun miraculously smothering an opponent on the boundary, gathering the ball mid smother and bananaing one through the big sticks. You might be thinking, how the hell has this guy not played AFL with all of these great qualities? Well, as is the case with many highlights, there is an equally long blooper reel that provides some comic relief and occasional frustration for those playing alongside him. Whether it be getting caught holding the ball dancing around someone on the mark, or kicking a set shot out on the full, there is never a dull moment when playing with Tun!
Tunners is a much loved member of the Club, with his genuine care and interest in his teammates' lives being a standout feature of his personality. Whether he is sharing snippets of AFL gossip collected from his journalism work or having the Clyde in stitches about some sordid stories from his early 20’s, Tun knows how to engage an audience. Many others have shared some special memories along the way, so I have compiled their recollections and highlights a couple of current and former players and coaches below.
Sam "Self" Lane (Phoenix assistant coach & team-manager when Tunners arrived):
Jordan first came down to the Main in the winter of 2015, to join in training with the Phoenix group. He was a long limbed, athletic looking guy in a Old Melburnians Athleteics Club training singlet who arrived just at the point in the season where we get short on numbers - so extra reinforcements were always handy. Apparently he was coming off an injury and didn’t feel like he could play. Given I had learnt that he was a fellow city kid, ex-APS, I was super keen for him to stay involved, not knowing of his family ties at the Club until later.
In the pre-season of 2016 he returned back to training and committed to the season. Jimmy Clarke and I were rapt he was in our group and curious to know how the high jumper would fare on the field. I think in his first game we threw him forward and he didn’t get near it. He was moved behind the ball where he then started to dominate. I would never admit it but we did try to hide him down in the Phoenix for as long as possible and deliberately didn’t include him in the best players published on the VAFA website. But the more and more he played, the more he improved and the more involved he was at the Club - always there at the Clyde on a Thursday, getting around the Seniors, making a name for himself on the Mystery Bus... We knew his time at the Phoenix would be fleeting.
I’m extremely happy for him that he’s been able to reach the 100 game milestone. He too, should be proud of everything he’s achieved. A Seniors player, Black Spot Host, Mystery Bus hall of famer!
Zach "Hack" Harris:
My favourite memory of Tunners would be him almost single-handedly helping keep us in the 2018 prelim final vs St Bernard’s. In the first half he intercepted everything along half-back when we were on the brink of getting blown away. He was sort of playing his role in the usual "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" style that we had grown to accept; Tunners would do 10 amazing things then 1 dumb thing but you’d be willing to wear it because he made it all look easy, and on this day, helped us win a nail-biter.
A very talented player (x3 runner-up B&F finishes across many years) that loved trying to learn the structure that our old coach Merls wanted us to stick to - was very curious to learn as much as he could. Sometimes this would incur Merl's wrath as Tunners played more on impulse, but in the end I know they had a very close relationship and both very much learned from each other in their time as player-coach, and are still good friends. Caring, loyal and with buckets of athleticism, Tunners is an inspiring teammate to play with and top-tier friend off of it.
Harry "Harv" King:
As one half of the famed Blackspot duo, Harv had some great insight into Tun off the field and has many fond memories to call on over the journey. The ‘Blackspot radio updates’ were a favourite of Harv’s and always produced some gold moments and cries of ‘bumper’ from the faithful teammates at the back of the Clyde. Tun is always keen to try new things, so when the prospect of leading a night of Spanish Dancing on the Blacks social calendar popped up, he was the first to take up the opportunity to teach the whole Club with their various partners along for the ride.
Ironically, one of the favourite memories of Tunners comes with his presence outside of the country. I don’t think anyone at the Club could forget the ripping moustache that he was sporting at the time of him traveling to report on Wimbledon. We weren’t the only ones taking notice, with the cameraman spotting him and his dapper style in the crowd. True to form, Tun delivered in the moment, sliding his Sunnies on and providing the opportunity for the commentary to deliver one of the great lines - “That man has really stepped it up a notch.”
Let’s hope Father Time continues to turn a blind eye to Tun, so that the Uni Main and more importantly his newborn daughter can be witness to the mercurial and mind boggling exploits for a few more years. Good luck and go well mate!
- Tom "Nugget" Cousins
How did you end up at the Club?
My father and grandfather were both University footballers. One of my Dad’s old teammates Justin Gray and work colleagues Tom Elliott were also big advocates of the Club.
Any standout/strange memories from the Phoenix?
Every Mystery Bus trip was an eye-opening experience.
Favourite player to watch when growing up?
As a kid, Jeff Farmer was my favourite player and I had his number on my back for many years. I would try to play like Jeff White, also an undersized ruckman and who relied on his leap.
Who has had the most influence on your career?
My school coaches Michael Ford, Ben Hansich & Jess Rottura had a big influence on me as a footballer and a person in my formative years. In recent years, Reserves Coach Rob Paterson pushed me out of my comfort zone and given me the confidence to play in a variety of positions.
Thriftiest/biggest tightarse at the Club?
Not willing to call anyone out on that one.
Favourite subject at high school?
Media.
Favourite teammate?
Harry King - I’ve always admired his work ethic and how he commands a high standard from his teammates.
Any interesting pre game routines?
I’ve listened to the same song before every game since I was in school. Magenta by Arno Cost, Arias. Always gets me pumped to play.
If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now and holiday for a week, where would it be?
Wimbledon.
Last book you read?
Like a Virgin - By Richard Branson
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?
Long walk on the beach or a slow cycle with my fiance Olivia to "the Bread Club" in Albert Park, round of golf and if time permits, watch a Dees victory at the MCG.
Favourite blacks memory, on or off the field.
Winning the 2018 Reserves preliminary final against St Bernard’s by two points & my first Phoenix Mystery Bus tour.
University of Melbourne
Parkville VIC 3010
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