Tom McCallum opens up on Port Adelaide delisting and decision to sign with SANFL powerhouse Norwood

Despite his AFL dream coming to an end after just two seasons, Tom McCallum is choosing to focus on the positives after signing with a SANFL powerhouse for next season.

Tasmania’s Tom McCallum has joined SANFL club Norwood. Picture: Norwood Football Club.

While he’s sure there may have been some interest in a return to Tasmania, former Port Adelaide draftee Tom McCallum says it was a pretty easy decision to remain in South Australia and sign with SANFL powerhouse Norwood.

The 2024 grand finalists announced McCallum’s arrival at the club earlier this month with the 193cm defender joining an already established list of Tasmanians at the Redlegs.

Delisted by the Power after just two seasons, McCallum’s time in the AFL was cruelled by injury with the former Clarence young gun not playing a game after battling multiple ankle injuries throughout his stay at Alberton.

Nicholas Lange from the Bulldogs is tackled by Tom McCallum of the Magpies during the Round 18 SANFL match between Central District and Port Adelaide at Elizabeth Oval in Adelaide, Saturday, August 26, 2023. (SANFL Image/David Mariuz)

While he’s confident the worst of those are behind him, McCallum doesn’t look back on his time at Port unkindly and is looking forward to producing his best at the Redlegs.

“I love Adelaide and I had a couple of mates from Tassie at Norwood so it was a pretty easy decision in the end,” McCallum said.

“I’m just looking forward to having an injury free season and hopefully playing finals again with Norwood.

“Norwood was the first club to contact me after getting delisted. I took some time to make a decision as I didn’t know what was going to happen with other opportunities (potentially in the AFL). Unfortunately that didn’t happen but I’m very happy to be joining Norwood.

“It was a great experience (at Port) despite my struggles.

“I wish things turned out differently but I learned a lot and I’m very grateful for my time at the club.”

A player with a world of talent, McCallum was originally taken from Clarence with pick 36 in the 2022 draft and while he says there may have been some interest to return home, the lure of playing in a state league competition regarded as the best outside the AFL was too good to turn down.

“I think Clarence would have definitely been interested in having me back,” he said.

McCallum playing for Clarence in the Tasmanian State League back in 2021. Picture: Richard Jupe

“But with where I’m at, I thought that staying interstate for a bit longer and trying to play some consistent football in a stronger competition was the best thing for me.

“But I’m definitely not ruling out coming back to Tassie at some point, if the opportunity presented.”

Battling multiple injuries in a contract year is never an easy thing and while he says he wasn’t surprised to be given the news his time at the Power was over, he’s hoping it isn’t the last shot he gets at his AFL dream.

“I wouldn’t say I was surprised but I didn’t know what to expect,” he said.

“I think anyone that’s my age would still definitely want to be on an AFL list but at the moment, I’m just focusing on trying to get my body right and have a few consistent years of football and then if the opportunity comes, it comes.”