Absent flag only regret for retiring Jeremy Clayton
PORT Adelaide will lose one of its modern-day greats when Jeremy Clayton ends his eight-year SANFL journey at the end of this season.
But he almost didn't make it to Alberton at all.
Clayton, the 2005 Magarey Medallist and a four-time Magpies best and fairest, will retire at the end of the season.
The 175cm midfielder revealed how he had signed with Woodville-West Torrens but was rookie-listed by North Melbourne that year and never played for the Eagles.
Clayton went on to play eight games for the Kangaroos from 2003-04 before joining the Magpies in 2005.
"In 2005 the Eagles had some good midfielders and probably weren't in the market as much at the time," he said.
"My manager pushed me towards Port Adelaide because of their tradition and success and the chance to get me back to the AFL.
"The Port Adelaide Football Club is my home, my family - and nothing will ever change that."
Clayton had an immediate impact at Alberton, winning the 2005 Magarey Medal and helping lift Port from sixth to third.
He received the medal in a hospital bed after rupturing his spleen in the finals.
The injury led him to knock back another crack at the AFL with Richmond, something he described as among the hardest decisions he faced.
Clayton recovered from that and his 2010 knee reconstruction and now sits on 125 games for the club.
The only accolade that has eluded him over the journey is a premiership.
"The main reason I came here wasn't for money, it was to play in a premiership.
"To not win one doesn't sit well with me but you'll see some Port Adelaide success some time soon I'm sure."
Clayton said next season he planned to spend more time with his family, including wife Beth and sons Nash, 3, and Hardy, 1.
He also expected to play country football.
