Former AFL player leaves Southport

A former AFL player has left Southport Sharks in what is a blow to the club’s NEAFL title defence.

SOUTHPORT’S hopes of defending their NEAFL premiership has been dealt a blow with Josh Clayton backflipping on his deal for 2019.

The former Brisbane Lions AFL player recommitted for the 2019 season at the end of last year after featuring heavily in the side that won the club’s first senior flag in a decade.

Clayton played an equal team high of 20 games for the Sharks and won the coach’s award for his efforts.

But Southport has agreed to release Clayton who didn’t return from Victoria after the Christmas break.

Josh Clayton. Picture: Jerad Williams

Sharks coach Stephen Daniel said he didn’t want to lose Clayton but was sympathetic to the reasons behind his decision.

“It was a family decision and some stuff was happening back home. We didn’t want to stop it or intervene,” Daniel said.

It is understood Clayton has agreed to sign with VFL club Werribee for the coming season.

Clayton was part of a group of four former Sandringham Dragons teammates who arrived at Southport in 2018 along with Tom Wilkinson, Michael Manteit and Tyler Roos.

Manteit is the only one who remains with Wilkinson being drafted to North Melbourne while Roos has also returned to Victoria.

Other departures include Tom Howard, Noa Corbett, Brandon Chadwick (Broadbeach), Dale Eames, Shawn Watson, Brenton Payne (relocated), Seb Rogers, Wade Hancock (relocated), Nick Kempe, Fraser Thurlow (overseas), Josh Baxter (retired) and Jed Turner.

Meanwhile, the Sharks have enlisted the help of retired Australian and Queensland rugby league representative Mick Crocker to oversee their tackling and strength and conditioning program.

“I got to know Mick through some contacts and I was keen to get him into our coaching department to help out,” Daniel said.

“Tackling is something we have been focusing on this preseason.”