Tall defender hoping for an AFL lifeline after being delisted with a year to run on his contract

Delisted Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey is hungry for another AFL opportunity.

The 30-year-old was cut earlier this week despite having a year to run on his contract, and Clurey himself admitted that his axing was somewhat of a relief given he has known it was coming for some time.

While the 124-game defender battled through various injuries in previous years, keeping him to 13 or fewer games each season since 2021, he was able to enjoy an injury-free 2024, although he was made to play in the SANFL.

With some fitness and confidence in his body under his belt, Clurey is confident he can make an impact at another club if given a chance.

“I knew it was going to happen for a little bit. It's all finally done now, so we can move on,” Clurey told SEN SA The Run Home.

“The last two years have definitely been tough.

“This year I was injury-free and obviously didn't get an AFL opportunity.

“But because I was injury-free and didn’t miss any games, that was one thing I was positive about the season.

“In the three or four years before that, I had a run of injuries, year after year, that was definitely tough.”

After missing out on a move during the trade period, Clurey’s hopes of finding a spot on an AFL list for 2025 will come as a delisted free agent or as an SSP addition during the pre-season.

The tall defender is hoping that things pick up for him in the next month or two and he’s given an opportunity by an AFL club to train during the pre-season to prove his worth and find himself on a list.

“That's the hope (to find another club),” Clurey said.

“I'm only 30 years old and, as I said I played a full season of footy this year and still feel I've got a bit to give.

“I'll be putting my hand up and if there's anyone out there or any train on spots, I’ll be jumping at that.

“Hopefully in the next month or two things will hopefully pick up a bit.

“In the trade period, nothing eventuated there which was a little bit disappointing.

“Hopefully over the next month or two, we can have some more positive news.

“I’ve still got the passion and desire to play AFL footy and still feel I can, so we’ll see how that plays out.”

From 17 SANFL games in 2024, Clurey averaged 17.1 disposals, 6.4 marks and 4.6 rebound 50s.