St Kilda defender Oscar Clavarino makes move to South Adelaide, SANFL after AFL dream cut short

Victorian talent Oscar Clavarino had VFL and SANFL clubs lining up for his services after he was not offered another St Kilda contract – here’s why he chose SA.

Delisted St Kilda defender Oscar Clavarino says the SANFL and South Adelaide will give him the best chance of a second shot in the AFL.

The 22-year-old has signed at the Panthers in a bid to return to the top level following five appearances for the Saints in 2021.

Clavarino – a 195cm intercepting key back – was not offered another contract for next year and said he received calls from several VFL and SANFL clubs.
“Firstly I had to decide whether I wanted to come over to the SANFL or not – that probably took me a good few weeks tossing up the pros and cons,” Clavarino said.

South Adelaide recruit Oscar Clavarino played five AFL games for St Kilda this season. Picture: Michael Klein

“In the end I thought SANFL is a great level of football and it could be a springboard for me back into the AFL, which is the ultimate goal.

“South was keen from the start and I just liked the way they went about it.

“It’s also a bit of a change up for me, I’ve played a lot of VFL in the past four or five years so a think a change in scenery and fresh start will be good for me.”

If another AFL opportunity does not materialise immediately, Clavarino has shown his patience.

The No. 35 pick in the 2017 national draft had to wait 1283 days for his AFL debut in round 11 this year.

It finally came after three-and-a-half years battling away in the Saints’ VFL-aligned club Sandringham, as well as a syndesmosis injury at the start of 2019 and ongoing hamstring issues during 2020.

While the Berwick Football Club, Haileybury College and Dandenong Stingrays product recorded a handful of AFL games this year, he said he still had more to give at the top level.

Oscar Clavarino (second right) pictured with fellow 2017 Saints draftees Hunter Clark, Nick Coffield, Ben Paton and coach Allan Richardson. Picture: Tony Gough

“It was an awesome experience being drafted to St Kilda and one I wouldn’t change for the world,” he said.

“I feel like I am up to the level and with a bit more experience I could take some big steps forward.

“South Adelaide is a great club with a strong record in recent years and that excites me as well, playing in a team which can hopefully reach some success.”

Clavarino’s arrival at Noarlunga was a timely one after Panthers key defender Sam Skinner joined Port Adelaide as a delisted free agent last week.

In a bid to build on its back-to-back preliminary final defeats the past two seasons, South has also picked up rebounding defender Elliot Dunkin from West Adelaide, 19-year-old Crows SANFL recruit Oliver Davis and Tasmanian utility Harrison Gunter for 2022.

Elsewhere, delisted Geelong utility Cameron Taheny has returned to junior club Norwood while Glenelg has signed former Brisbane Lions ball-winner Corey Lyons – the brother of ex-Crow Jarryd Lyons.