Glenelg premiership player Cory Gregson set to play for Morphettville Park this season

A division four Adelaide Footy League club will be boosted this year by the inclusion of an ex-AFL and SANFL premiership star.

Ex-Geelong and Glenelg SANFL premiership player Cory Gregson has signed with Adelaide Footy League division four club Morphettville Park. Picture: Morphettville Park Football Club

He spent four seasons on Geelong’s AFL list before winning a SANFL flag with Glenelg – now Cory Gregson is keen to return to grassroots footy.

Gregson, 24, has signed with Adelaide Footy League division four club Morphettville Park ahead of the 2021 season.

It comes after stress fractures in both feet hampered much of the small forward’s 2020 campaign with the Tigers, having only managed to line up in three matches.

Former Glenelg player Cory Gregson in action against South Adelaide, has quit the SANFL and will play with Morphettville Park in the Adelaide Footy League this year. Picture: Sarah Reed

Gregson, who helped Glenelg snap a 33-year premiership drought in 2019, was looking forward to lining up alongside his best mate, Chris Barnes, who would be a playing assistant coach at Morphies this year, crossing over from SANFL grand finalists North Adelaide.

“I am pretty much just trying to look after my feet. Unfortunately I had another tough year again last year with my feet cracking again,” Gregson, of Warradale, said.

“I just thought I might try and go back to grassroots footy, get back to enjoying it a bit more and playing with friends I haven’t had a chance to for a while.

“My best friend, Chris Barnes, has just joined (Morphettville Park) as an assistant coach.

“He used to play there as a junior and he’s gone back there to help with assistant coaching so he told me how everything is looking down there and sucked me in.”

Gregson said watching Glenelg from the sidelines last year was frustrating.

But he was grateful he was able to spend more time with his partner Lil and 11-month-old son Albie.

“Playing at SANFL level is still quite stressful but it was quite nice spending weekends with my family and after work, I tried to make the best out of my situation,” Gregson said.

“I consider myself pretty lucky for being on an AFL list for four years and actually playing so I am quite content where things are.”

Former Geelong and Glenelg small forward Cory Gregson. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

Morphettville Park finished last season fifth under former coach Tony McGuinness, before the side lost an elimination final to Walkerville.

McGuinness, however, has been replaced for this season by Steve Nolis.

Gregson, who played 39 AFL games with the Cats between 2015-2018, said part of his role at Morphettville Park would be to help with the youngsters coming through the ranks.

“I’m just hoping this year I can help develop a few of the young players at Morphettville Park and also hopefully help the team win a few more games.

“They had a bit of success last year, making the finals, but hopefully we can push up the ladder again this year.”

The 2021 Adelaide Footy League competition will kick off on Saturday, April 10.

Morphettville Park’s campaign will start with a clash against Woodville South at home.