Footy’s great survivors: Tom Campbell joins fourth club

Tom Campbell joined his fourth AFL club this week. TIM MICHELL looks at the AFL’s journeymen that have survived longer than a decade despite struggling to get first-team minutes.

Tom Campbell is the AFL’s great survivor.

The journeyman ruckman – who has never played more than nine games in an AFL season – recently joined his fourth AFL club when he was unveiled as a delisted free agency signing for Melbourne.

The 32-year-old, who was first selected by Western Bulldogs in the 2011 rookie draft, has spent the past 13 years on AFL lists for a total of 58 matches.

In that time he has turned out in 11 out the 13 years he has been listed at AFL level, including four matches for St Kilda in the past three years as Rowan Marshall’s understudy.

He also played 42 games in seven years as a Bulldog and 12 in three seasons at North Melbourne.

“I love playing footy. It’s always been a dream since I was a little kid,” Campbell said.

“I don’t think anyone goes into their AFL career aiming to just play 58 games in 14 seasons.

“But it’s never been lost on me that this is what I have wanted to do — to play football.

“To be a part of it, there training with your mates every day and working towards the big goal of ultimate success at the end of September.

“What I have found over my journey is that I have been able to find a lot of meaning in different roles. Whether it is being the one that takes the centre bounce in an AFL game or if it’s supporting the young players and their development...I’ve loved my journey to date and really excited for it to continue.”

Campbell said he was prepared for “the end of the road” before a call from Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin while holidaying with his family.

“Had a great chat about what it could look like for me to come in and support as back-up ruck at the Dees,” he said on Trade Radio.

“It didn’t take too much twisting of the arm to take that offer. I’m incredibly excited and really grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had to play AFL footy for as long as I have.”

Tom Campbell is now at the Demons. Picture: Michael Klein

Melbourne’s list manager Tim Lamb said: “Tom is an experienced, competitive ruck, who we are excited to welcome to the club.

“He is an outstanding character, and will provide depth and maturity in our ruck stocks, which has been a focus for us this off season.

“We look forward to having Tom and his family as part of the red and blue.”

After his delisting in August, St Kilda’s David Misson said of Campbell: “Tom has been an incredible member of our playing group during his time here, having an invaluable impact on our emerging talent and ruck stocks.

“His generosity and kindness have made an indelible mark on those around him, and we know will stand him in great stead for this next stage with his young family.”

Campbell has the lowest average games played per season (4.46) of any player who will be listed for the 2025 season that has lasted in the AFL for a decade or more.

His tally of 58 games is equal to Collingwood defender Billy Frampton, who has been in the AFL system for 10 years.

Recently delisted Giant Braydon Preuss (28 games in 10 seasons), retired Richmond ruckman Sam Naismith (33 games, 11 years) and ex-Carlton defender Caleb Marchbank (63, 10 seasons) were the other players in the top five of the AFL’s game of survivor this year.

Next year, Ivan Soldo (65 games, 10 years), Marc Pittonet (73 games, 10 years) and Lewis Melican (84 games, 10 years) will join those ranks.

Ivan Soldo could join a third club next year. Picture: Getty Images

But Campbell will become the ultimate survivor after signing for Melbourne as Max Gawn’s understudy.

He has been one of the VFL’s dominant big men in recent years and averaged 18.8 disposals, 4.7 marks and 3.9 tackles a game for St Kilda’s affiliate Sandringham this year.

“Having a Plan B has always been really critical as someone that’s signed mostly one-year contracts over the journey,” Campbell said.

“There’s definitely been a shift over my 14 years in the game towards making sure you are prepared for life after the game.”

Campbell’s longevity does not come close to former Sydney, Gold Coast and North Melbourne ruckman Daniel Currie though.

Currie played 10 AFL games in 10 seasons from 2007-2017 and once described himself as someone who had “given the term list clogger new meaning”.

Originally published as Footy’s great survivors: Tom Campbell joins fourth club