After the departure of the Crows, a delisted Adelaide player is eager to join a third club: AFL trade news
The 22-year-old is willing to relocate interstate to continue his AFL career.
Jackson Hately, a delisted Adelaide midfielder, is attempting to keep his AFL dream alive after leaving West Lakes.
Hately was one of four Crows players who were not offered new contracts by the club last month, along with Andrew McPherson, Tariek Newchurch, and Tyler Brown.
During his three-year stint with Adelaide, the 22-year-old appeared in 15 games, with only one appearance in 2023 as a tactical replacement in Round 19 against Melbourne.
His stint in Adelaide was cut short after transferring from GWS at the end of the 2020 season. The South Australian was originally drafted by the Giants as the 14th overall pick two years before.
After leaving Adelaide, Hately is now looking for his third AFL club, with Hately open to going interstate or joining a state league club to get himself on the radar of clubs.
Hately told Trade Radio on Tuesday that he didn’t lose faith in himself after the club informed him of his delisting.
“I’m doing well.” It’s undoubtedly a thrill ride. “I’ve been very fortunate to have some great highs and great experiences so far, and obviously getting delisted is on the other side of that, but I’m still feeling very fortunate and very competent in my footy journey, and there’s plenty of foot left,” the ex-Giant and Crow said.
“When you’re out of contract, you have a reasonable idea of what might happen, and so I had an idea probably five or six before, but it’s always difficult to hear in the moment.”
“[Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks] let me know that the club wouldn’t be going with me in that direction.”
Hatley stated he understood why he was limited to senior opportunities given Adelaide’s abundance of inside midfielders, but that he was playing his best football of his career in 2023.
Hately finished tenth in the Magarey Medal standings after assisting the Crows’ SANFL side to a deep finals run, and would be picked on the wing for the 2023 Team of the Year.
While Hately believes his finest function is in the engine room, he is banking on his ability to play several positions as he considers a return to the AFL.
“I’m very confident in my abilities on an AFL pitch.” This year, the opportunities weren’t really there, which is occasionally the case. We had a very healthy midfield group and a list that was performing well, but I am extremely certain that I can still play really good footy and that I have previously played fantastic AFL footy,” he added.
“The opportunity did not present itself this year.” It wasn’t meant to be, but I’m still optimistic.
“It’s funny, this was obviously my fifth year in the system, and I only had one game as a sub where I played a quarter of the game.” It seemed like this was the greatest I’d been as a footballer this year, but it was also the fewest games I’d played.
“It’s not always linear, but I’m encouraged by the fact that I improved as a footballer this year.” This year, I would have loved to have played a lot of AFL. However, playing several state league games with a really good team is still a lot of fun.
“I certainly did not suffer any losses.” “I have faith in my abilities.”I can surely play the wing and other spots, which gives me some versatility. There aren’t many players who play 100% of the time as an inside midfielder. So I believe it is critical to be able to portray those other parts.
“I’ve only played three or four AFL games as an inside mid, but I felt like I did pretty well in those games and feel like I can compete with anyone in there.”
“I think that’s definitely my best spot.”
Hately relocated to South Australia from Sydney’s west to be closer to family, but with his partner in Melbourne, the developing midfielder is open to departing SA this off-season.
The 28-year-old claimed that “you just never know what can happen” as he tries to keep his career alive.
“I’m definitely willing to move states,” he stated.
“Coming back to the Crows, I think [the pull home] was obviously a factor.” There were many reasons to return at the time, but that was surely one of the most compelling. I had family in town.
“However, I have a partner who lives in Melbourne and has lived there for the last three years.” So (changing states) is definitely something I’m open to.
“… I certainly don’t feel like my journey has come to an end.” You never know what might happen.”
Following negotiations with state league clubs since his delisting, Hately could make a decision on his next club as early as this week.
As the trade, free agency, and draught seasons approach, Hately stated he’s prepared to wait.
“There’s been some conversations over those last couple of weeks now and I’ll make a decision pretty soon on that,” he stated.
“I’ll be playing in the state league and putting my best foot forward.” There are numerous paths to re-entry, so for me, it’s about demonstrating that I can still play at the AFL level.
“The VFL is obviously a very strong competition, and I’ve seen the SANFL in recent years.” That is something I will probably determine later this week.
“At this point, it’s mostly been talking with state league clubs and figuring out what that pathway looks like.” Clubs in the American Football League do not know what their rosters will look like until after the trading period and the draught.
“It’s one of those things that could happen later, but at this point I’m focusing on things I can control.”
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