Cameron Sutcliffe thrilled to get another shot at playing AFL footy with Port Adelaide in mid-season rookie draft

Eagles or Magpies? Cam Sutcliffe had a big decision to make last year and while his heart may have said one, his head said the other and now he’s got another shot at playing AFL footy.

Cameron Sutcliffe played 104 games for Fremantle and has now joined the Power via the mid-season rookie draft. Picture: Daniel Wilkins.

• Set in stone: Hosie’s life-changing draft call-up
• ‘We’ve been shortchanged’: Lack of draft compo angers clubs
• Clubs count cost as SANFL loses five players in draft
• Mid-season draft: Who your club picked
• Crows pass but Port gets its man Cam

Cameron Sutcliffe said his decision not to return to his former club Woodville-West Torrens and join Port Adelaide in the SANFL has been vindicated by the Power taking him in the AFL mid-season rookie draft.

The 27-year-old was delisted last year by Fremantle after 104 games — including the 2014 grand final — and toyed with the idea of returning to Oval Avenue to play with the Eagles.

Port's SANFL captain Cameron Sutcliffe attempts to smother Adelaide's Riley Knight. Picture: AAP Image/Russell Millard

But he chose the Port Magpies hoping it would lead to an AFL lifeline and now it has after the Power selected him with Pick No. 9 on Monday night.

“In the back of my mind I thought playing at Port Adelaide would give me the best opportunity to get back on a list,” Sutcliffe said.

“I’m originally from Woodville-West Torrens and had a discussion with them as well and wasn’t quite sure whether to come to them or Port Adelaide, and that was my mindset in coming to Port Maggies.”

He was employed by the club to work with its Next Generation Academies and community programs with Alipate Carlile, John Hinge and Paul Stewart, and was named skipper of the Magpies.

Sutcliffe said he “had an inkling” the Power might draft him last week but was only told for certain on Monday hours before the draft.

“It means the world to be honest, I got delisted from Fremantle and half expected it, but to get another opportunity at the top level it’s always been my dream to continue to play AFL,” he said.

“Missing out in the rookie draft was pretty disappointing but to come to the club and be able to captain the club has been good.

Cameron Sutcliffe after arriving at Alberton as Port Adelaide SANFL captain. Picture: Jordan Bianchini

Cameron Sutcliffe up against new teammate Darcy Byrne-Jones last year. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“I started the year pretty poorly and had a hamstring injury early in the year, so I put it in the back of my mind that it probably wouldn’t happen again.

“I was happy playing for the Magpies and leading them, but to get another opportunity at the top level is awesome.

“The fact I’m pretty versatile, if an opportunity arises and Ken says ‘do you want to play here or there’ then I’m happy to take whatever role I’m given.”

He is close friends with former Dockers teammate Matt de Boer who has also resurrected his career as a tagger with GWS.

“I travelled with him at the end of last year and I do look at him for inspiration and even Tendai Mzungu, those sort of guys it came down to their work ethic to get another go and that’s where I stand as well.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work to get to this point and I’m proud of where I am today.”

[e-mail]