Jeremy Finlayson
Jeremy Finlayson (born 9 February 1996) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Port Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), having been initially drafted to Greater Western Sydney. He is now playing for Port Adelaide, and living his best life with his daughter Sophia, and wife Kellie.
| Jeremy Finlayson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Finlayson playing for Greater Western Sydney in April 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Jeremy Finlayson | ||
| Date of birth | 9 February 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Albury, New South Wales | ||
| Original team(s) | Sydney Hills (NEAFL) | ||
| Draft | No. 69, 2014 national draft | ||
| Debut | Round 15, 2017, Greater Western Sydney vs. Geelong, at Spotless Stadium | ||
| Height | 197 cm (6 ft 6 in) | ||
| Weight | 94 kg (207 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Ruck | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Port Adelaide | ||
| Number | 11 | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2015–2021 | Greater Western Sydney | 66 (90) | |
| 2022– | Port Adelaide | 31 (45) | |
| Total | 97 (135) | ||
| 1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 15, 2023. | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Personal life Edit
Finlayson was born in Culcairn, New South Wales, into a family of Indigenous Australian (Yorta Yorta) descent.[1][2] He grew up playing an array of sports including cricket, lawn bowls and tennis but mostly focused on Australian rules football. Finlayson attended Billabong High School in Culcairn and played his junior football with the Culcairn Lions in the Hume Football League, making his senior debut for the club in 2012 at the age of 16.[3]
In late 2012 he moved to Sydney to join the GWS Giants' academy program full time in order to increase his chances of being drafted into the AFL.[4] The decision paid off at the 2014 AFL draft when the Giants drafted Finlayson with their 85th pick in the national draft.[5] He completed his high school education at Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown.[6]
In March 2023, Finlayson tied the knot. His wife Kellie revealed that she was re-diagnosed with cancer a few weeks before they got married. In April 2023, Jeremy made an emotional tribute to his wife.[7]
AFL career Edit
Finlayson made his debut against Geelong at Spotless Stadium in round fifteen of the 2017 season.[8]
Finlayson was traded to Port Adelaide for family reasons at the conclusion of the 2021 AFL season.[9]
References Edit
- ^ "AFL Players Launch 2019 Indigenous Map" (PDF). AFL Players Association. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
- ^ Forsaith, Rob (28 May 2019). "GWS star eyes AFL Indigenous coach pathway". Blue Mountains Gazette. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "2012 Hume Football League Player Statistics- Jeremy Finlayson". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (19 April 2019). "Jeremy Finlayson's giant climb to the starting line". The Age. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ Giese, Susie (21 November 2018). "The Draft's Hidden Gems". gwsgiants.com.au. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ Ryan, Peter (19 April 2018). "Jeremy Finlayson's giant climb to the starting line". The Age. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
- ^ Kemp, Miles (9 April 2023). "'Hope she's watching. I love her so much': Finlayson's tearful tribute to Kellie". adelaidenow. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ Moir, David (30 June 2017). "GWS youngster Finlayson set for AFL debut". The Northern Star. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ @AFL_House (6 October 2021). "Trade paperwork lodged" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
External links Edit
- Jeremy Finlayson's profile on the official website of the Greater Western Sydney Giants
- Jeremy Finlayson's playing statistics from AFL Tables