An East Burwood Rev

by PAUL DAFFEY

While it has become fashionable in footy circles to call Neale Daniher "The Reverend", or "Rev", in Melbourne's Eastern Football League they have a pigskin pastor of their own. Chad "Reverend" Harding, a speedy midfielder with East Burwood, is attracting notice throughout the competition for his attack on the ball, but it's his work through the week that separates him from his fellow footballers.

Harding is a minister with City Church Melbourne, a charismatic group aligned with the Assemblies of God church, with offices in Box Hill. Every Friday night, he holds a service for Melbourne's youth at a hall on the corner of Collins and Russell streets. Every Sunday morning, he turns his attention to families, with a service at RMIT University's Storey Hall.

"We just don't have our own building at the moment," he said.

Harding is one of two ministers who arrived from Perth to begin the Melbourne chapter of the church in January. After starting the youth service before a flimsy congregation, the service now attracts 400 teenagers who converge in seven buses.

His success at winning over teenagers can be traced to his flair for story-telling. While describing the parables, he puts aside Biblical staples such as wheat and barley; in his versions, the disciples carry televisions and Playstations. Caulfield Grammar was so impressed that it employed him to take religious studies.

Around the football club, Harding's pastoral work is a matter of curiosity. At least once a week, while stretching before training or having a drink in the bar, he fields a question on matters such as the troubled teenagers who turn to him, or how God, the great centre half-forward in the sky, can change the game at ground level.

The questions are never tinged with ridicule. "I think they respect me for what I believe in," Harding said.

During the interview for this article, Harding offered no hint of self-consciousness while discussing his beliefs. He wore a Quiksilver top and tracksuit pants, with surfie beads around his neck. His hair is bleached and his face is open.

Harding knew at 14 that he wanted to lead what he described as a "Christian life". After growing up in a Church of Christ family in Perth's northern suburbs, his main diversion from the church was his enjoyment of football.

At 18, he played in his second senior premiership with A-grade Amateurs club Scarborough. At the prompting of Scarborough coach Gary Armstrong, the father of Melbourne midfielder Steven and a member of a famous family from the Perth Football Club, he joined Perth, where his ability to run with the ball and kick long to a target made an immediate impression. The bonus was his dedication to shepherding and tackling.

After playing his first game against Subiaco on West Coast forward Brett Heady, Harding never looked back. In five years, he played 86 senior games and two state games. A handful of AFL clubs sounded him out about drafting, but only once, against South Fremantle, did an opposition player chide him for his work in the church. After taking issue with Harding's robust support for a teammate, the opponent suggested that a man of God had no place in a stoush.

Last year, after winning Perth's best-and-fairest award, which he described in the West Australian way of "fairest-and-best", Harding announced he was going to Melbourne with his church. Clubs such as Sandringham and Frankston tried to recruit him, but his unwillingness to play on Sundays ruled out going to the VFL.

East Burwood got on to him through Ben Matthews-Herald, a former East Burwood player who was Harding's teammate at Perth. In early January, East Burwood leaders Ash Martin and Heath Goodale met him for a drink in a beachside bar at Scarborough while they were on holiday. East Burwood secretary Ray Spinks rang Harding almost weekly over several months before the 25-year-old committed to the Rams.

Harding's impact was felt in the second round, when he kicked four goals from a wing against fellow perennial finalist East Ringwood. In a drawn match against league powerhouse Vermont, he ignored the taunts of one rival who goaded him by finishing among the Rams' best players.

This match at the compact Vermont Recreation Reserve impressed on Harding the tightness of Melbourne suburban football. With thousands of fans screaming from an arm's length away, every kick and handball was earned under pressure. The open spaces of Western Australian ovals seemed a world away.

Harding described the enormous grounds in his home city while overlooking a series of puddles that dotted East Burwood's oval. This season's conditions have been the wettest in his experience. The pay-off has been days like last Saturday, when it was bright and still; in Perth, all games are affected by the sea breeze.

On the field, Harding's form is good enough for him to be slight favourite for the best-and-fairest award. In the social rooms, he is no less impressive when placed under the griller by playing-coach Paul Broderick, the former Richmond midfielder, who interviews all award-winners for the benefit of supporters. Harding's public-speaking abilities are gaining as much acclaim as his ability to find the footy.

Captain Ash Martin checked out Harding's ability to work a crowd at one of the City Church's youth services. As teacher at St Kevin's College, Martin was astounded by the teenagers' enthusiasm for the carnival of song.

"I really think it's because the kids are experiencing God," Harding said.

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