Former Port Adelaide AFL player Jeremy Finlayson has embarked on a surprising new career path as a 'reach stacker' following his delisting from the club, as his wife Kellie continues her public battle with terminal cancer.
A New Chapter After AFL
Jeremy Finlayson, 29, was let go by Port Adelaide in August after a four-year stint with the club, concluding a professional career that saw him kick 166 goals across 128 AFL games. The veteran ruckman's departure was starkly illustrated when he was pictured leaving the club with his belongings in garbage bags.
While he has signed with the local Myponga-Sellicks Mudlarks for the 2026 season, located 60km south of Adelaide, Finlayson has also taken on shift work in logistics to support his family. His wife Kellie revealed the news on Instagram, joking she didn't know what a reach stacker was before sharing a photo of his uniform.
What is a Reach Stacker?
A reach stacker is a specialist role in heavy-duty logistics, involving the operation of a high-capacity mobile crane to transport and stack shipping containers. This marks a significant shift for the former sports star, who is now balancing this work with his local football commitments and family life.
Mudlarks coach Justin Richardson told The Advertiser the club was excited to have the Finlayson family involved, noting Jeremy's ambition to develop his coaching skills. "The boys are pumped to have him," Richardson said, highlighting that players of his calibre 'don't grow on trees' at the local level.
Kellie's Ongoing Fight and Family Life
The couple's story is one of remarkable resilience. Kellie Finlayson, who turned 30 this year, was diagnosed with terminal cancer at just 25 after doctors discovered a tennis ball-sized tumour in her colon. Despite the prognosis, she has continued to fight and build a life with Jeremy and their young daughter, Sophie.
In August, Kellie returned to work as a maths teacher after a three-year absence, sharing her 'first day back on the tools' with followers. She also released her first book, 'There Must Be More: Finding Purpose In A Life With Cancer', aiming to give hope to others facing devastation.
Celebrating her 30th birthday earlier in December, Kellie wrote on Instagram: "I made it!... I plan to see 40, 50 and 60, too." The family marked the milestone with a countryside getaway.
Looking to the Future
Kellie indicated that a return to Port Adelaide in an off-field role for Jeremy seems unlikely. Instead, the family is forging a new path focused on stability, local community, and Jeremy's dual roles. Jeremy's move to the Mudlarks follows seven initial years with GWS Giants before his 2022 transfer to Port Adelaide, where injuries limited him to just 20 appearances in two seasons.
Their journey underscores the often abrupt transitions faced by professional athletes and the power of family resilience in the face of profound adversity.
