Jeremy Finlayson axed for AFL semi after admitting wife’s cancer battle is ‘taking its toll’

Jeremy Finlayson had been axed for Port Adelaide’s semi-final against GWS, a day after admitting why his form had been sliding.

It's a tough blow for Jeremy Finlayson. Photo: Getty Images and Instagram

Port Adelaide have dropped Jeremy Finlayson for its elimination semi-final against the GWS Giants, a day after the star admitted his wife Kellie’s battle with terminal cancer had “taken its toll” on his form.

Kellie’s cancer battle has rocked the AFL throughout the season after she revealed that she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer just months after finishing her treatment for bowel cancer, which had emerged shortly after the birth of their first child Sophia in August 2021.

Watch every match of The 2023 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo Sports. Join now and start streaming instantly >

Yet despite the turmoil in his personal life, Jeremy has had his best season since he moved to Port Adelaide from the Giants in 2022, and best season since he kicked 44 goals in 23 games in 2019.

But after kicking 32 goals in his first 14 games, he has added just six goals in his last seven games in an alarming drop in form.

It sees Finlayson make way for the returning Charlie Dixon after he had 0.1 and six disposals against the Lions.

Speaking on Channel 7’s The Morning Show on Wednesday, Jeremy and Kellie gave a positive update on her cancer battle but added she is “not out of the woods” despite the news the cancer appears to have stopped spreading.

“Obviously, with a terminal diagnosis, it’s not common for things to turn around as well as they have for me,” Kellie said.

“The chemotherapy and all the alternate therapies that I’ve been doing and putting myself through have worked, which is obviously fantastic, but we’re not out of the woods, and I’ve got to be realistic with the fact that I still have cancer and, although things aren’t spreading and things are getting better, I am still going through the emotions of what’s to come.”

Finlayson admitted his wife's battle had "taken its toll". Photo: Channel 7

Jeremy called Kellie an inspiration for the way she is advocating for cancer and that she “just wants to save people’s lives”.

But he added he had been struggling with the battle, particularly over the past month.

“It’s been a rocky road, it’s been a long 18 months,” he said alongside Kellie and Sophia.

“It’s kind of taken its toll, I won’t lie about that. Lately, the past three or four weeks, it’s taken its toll and it shows in footy.

“I’ve tried to put a brave face on through everything, just looking at how strong Kellie is and just trying to be her rock and just trying to put a smile on her face out on the football ground for her and Soph and trying to provide for them while she’s going through such a difficult battle, it’s all that I can do.”

Finlayson has played all but the opening two rounds of the season and round 21 against Geelong, when he was ruled out due to illness and tops the club’s goalkickers with 38 this season — good enough for 21st in the AFL.

But it didn’t stop mixed feelings at his axing.

Jeremy Finlayson dropped from his own Cup match. Grim

— Lenny Phillips (@lenphil29) September 14, 2023

Surprised- Finlayson has been one of best most of year, dropped for the huff, puff and not much else of Dixon?

— Tony Beckett (@BeckettTony) September 14, 2023

The right selection moves for Port. Dixon and Boak (hopefully not the last time) into the side.

Finlayson makes way after unfortunately underwhelming of late. Still think Dyl Williams is stiff to miss out. Francis Evans could be a good shout to come in. #weareportadelaide

— Adam Schultz (@aschultz_15) September 14, 2023

It’s a tough blow for Finlayson. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

The Finlayson family all together. Photo: Instagram

Speaking on AFL 360 Plus on Thursday night, Dermott Brereton said Ollie Lord, who booted four goals against the Lions last week, had earned his spot, but that Finlayson hadn’t been himself.

“Jeremy is a wonderful player,” he began. “His best is insanely good — his worst is close to non-competitive.

“I hope there aren’t other things in his life that aren’t taking his mind off the game at the moment.

“If he’s not playing well, he’s not very physical and if you want your second ruckman to go into the middle of the field and be physical and he’s not playing well, he’s probably not the right selection. But finger’s crossed everything is alright with him.”

St Kilda great Leigh Montagna said Finlayson’s form had been drifting late in the season.

“He hasn’t played well for six to eight weeks,” he said. “He’s been out of form and they’ve had to make a choice.”

Originally published as Jeremy Finlayson axed for AFL semi after admitting wife’s cancer battle is ‘taking its toll’