How Port Adelaide ‘wrapped their arms’ around Jeremy Finlayson

Jeremy Finlayson has revealed he “burst into tears” on his first day at Alberton amid wife Kellie’s cancer battle – now he’s giving back to the club that rallied around him.

Port Adelaide recruit Jeremy Finlayson has cemented himself as an on-field hero since arriving from GWS, playing key roles in the Power’s wins over Sydney and St Kilda with his goalkicking and starring as a groundball-winner in the ruck.

But the 27-year-old has revealed it’s the support the club gave to him during his off-field battles that has driven his success.

Jeremy’s wife Kellie, 27, was diagnosed with bowel cancer just months after giving birth to daughter Sophia in August 2021.

When Jeremy arrived at Port Adelaide for his first pre-season, Kellie was undergoing her first bout of gruelling chemotherapy.

“I remember going into the club, training and meeting people that I’ve never, ever seen before in my life and just crying,” he told The Project on Monday night.

“They instantly gave me a big cuddle, I still remember it.”

Before training on Tuesday, Jeremy was seen having a long chat to Power coach Ken Hinkley – the man who’s been one of his biggest supporters.

Jeremy Finlayson has become a key force in Port Adelaide’s engine room – driven by a desire to give back to the club that “wrapped its arms around him”. Picture: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Averaging an elite 10.9 kicks and 14.4 disposals while proving a handy tall in the ruck, Jeremy said his impressive 2023 season was driven by a desire to give back to the club – and the Port faithful – who wrapped their arms around him in his darkest hours.

“I was in at the club at 7am, out by 4pm and I was coming to sit at the hospital until about 10, 11 o’clock at night ... I’d sleep and then redo that for nearly a year. I couldn’t leave Kellie in hospital,” Jeremy said.

“I wrapped my arms around her and the football club wrapped their arms around me.

“I think, today, I want to try and play the best footy I can for them and pay that back.”

"I hope she's watching. I love her so much."

Jeremy Finlayson paid tribute to his wife Kellie, who is fighting cancer ❤️#AFLSwansPortpic.twitter.com/yotn2vtYZC

— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 8, 2023

The club has also given back to Jeremy – the wedding rings used for his surprise elopement with Kellie were organised by the playing group, while fellow star Sam Powell-Pepper, now “a brother for life” to Jeremy, was part of the day.

The 27-year-old said football was his release from the day-to-day challenges of Kellie’s cancer battle, but seeing her strength in adversity had made him a better player – and father.

“Football is ... where I go and just enjoy myself. I’ve seen Kellie first hand, what she can do and what she can deal with – I think that’s what’s made me stronger,” Jeremy said.

Kellie Finlayson with her husband Jeremy and daughter Sophia. Picture: Russell Millard

Jeremy with his daughter, Sophia. Picture: Supplied

Port Adelaide star Travis Boak said he couldn’t believe Finlayson’s performances on the field with everything going on off it.

“It is incredible, his story off-field is as challenging as it gets and you don’t want anyone to go through it,” Boak said.

“He comes into the club with a smile on his face, he comes in on game day and he loves playing footy.”

While Kellie has received some “extremely positive” news in the battle against her terminal cancer, which has metastasised in her lungs, she is still fighting to see their daughter Sophia start school.

For her, seeing Jeremy’s footy joy helps her keep smiling.

“I don’t know how he goes to work the way he does every single day and puts on a performance each weekend the way he does so well, with everything he’s going through,” Kellie said.

“That gives me joy watching him doing what he loves ... now he knows that every time he’s out there performing, I’m happy.”

Originally published as How Port Adelaide ‘wrapped their arms’ around Jeremy Finlayson