Jeremy Clayton story but is there a twist in the tale...
Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 4:09 pmMagpie’s milestone beckons
http://portside-messenger.whereilive.co ... milestone/
JEREMY Clayton looks back on an AFL career that never quite got off the ground and says he has no regrets.
In fact, on the verge of his 100th game with the Port Adelaide Magpies, the champion onballer says he has never enjoyed his footy more.
For Clayton, who joined the Magpies in 2005 after eight games with North Melbourne, being a part of the club’s current youthful squad is genuinely exciting.
“I’m probably enjoying it the most out of all the years I’ve been here,” Clayton said.
“It’s something I didn’t expect at the start of the year.
“It’s such a young group and I didn’t know which way the results were going to go. I’m definitely enjoying it.”
Clayton started in a blaze of glory, winning the Magarey Medal in his first year at Alberton, but triumph turned to tragedy when he ruptured his spleen in the qualifying final that year. Richmond was close to drafting him but the injury sabotaged his chances of returning to the AFL.
“I did have that other chance with Richmond but with my spleen and the way it was, it just wasn’t going to happen,” he says.
“I had people in the Richmond corner doing everything they could for me but I didn’t want to do them wrong by saying ‘I’m okay’ when I quite clearly wasn’t.
“It just wasn’t the right time, unfortunately, but absolutely no regrets in still being here, that’s for sure.”
At 29, Clayton says his body is feeling fine but family commitments may well decide his playing future.
“It’s going along okay at the moment but I’ve got another kid on the way at the end of the November.
“We’ll have two little kids, so it’ll be time to give something back at some stage although she’s (partner Beth) happy for me to go on, which is good.”
As for the 100-game milestone itself, Clayton doesn’t shy away from its significance to him.
“It’s something I wanted to do when I came here and it’s something I haven’t been able to do anywhere else.
“I’m never going to be a 200 gamer, so this is probably the biggest one I’ll get to play in. I can’t wait, it’s been something I’ve been looking forward to all year.”
http://portside-messenger.whereilive.co ... milestone/
JEREMY Clayton looks back on an AFL career that never quite got off the ground and says he has no regrets.
In fact, on the verge of his 100th game with the Port Adelaide Magpies, the champion onballer says he has never enjoyed his footy more.
For Clayton, who joined the Magpies in 2005 after eight games with North Melbourne, being a part of the club’s current youthful squad is genuinely exciting.
“I’m probably enjoying it the most out of all the years I’ve been here,” Clayton said.
“It’s something I didn’t expect at the start of the year.
“It’s such a young group and I didn’t know which way the results were going to go. I’m definitely enjoying it.”
Clayton started in a blaze of glory, winning the Magarey Medal in his first year at Alberton, but triumph turned to tragedy when he ruptured his spleen in the qualifying final that year. Richmond was close to drafting him but the injury sabotaged his chances of returning to the AFL.
“I did have that other chance with Richmond but with my spleen and the way it was, it just wasn’t going to happen,” he says.
“I had people in the Richmond corner doing everything they could for me but I didn’t want to do them wrong by saying ‘I’m okay’ when I quite clearly wasn’t.
“It just wasn’t the right time, unfortunately, but absolutely no regrets in still being here, that’s for sure.”
At 29, Clayton says his body is feeling fine but family commitments may well decide his playing future.
“It’s going along okay at the moment but I’ve got another kid on the way at the end of the November.
“We’ll have two little kids, so it’ll be time to give something back at some stage although she’s (partner Beth) happy for me to go on, which is good.”
As for the 100-game milestone itself, Clayton doesn’t shy away from its significance to him.
“It’s something I wanted to do when I came here and it’s something I haven’t been able to do anywhere else.
“I’m never going to be a 200 gamer, so this is probably the biggest one I’ll get to play in. I can’t wait, it’s been something I’ve been looking forward to all year.”
You guys bored or something? 
