 Originally from Parade College, Harford was a Teal Cup captain of Victoria as a youngster.He played junior football for St Mary's in the DVFL, and was recruited from the Northern U18 team by the Hawthorn Football Club with the 8th overall selection in the 1994 AFL Draft.His career started off beautifully and while at Hawthorn, where he made his debut in 1995, he made an early impression.