AFL News

24 players who returned to their original club after playing elsewhere

Could Luke Jackson join this rare list?

Published by
Aidan Cellini

Star ruckman Luke Jackson has been embroiled in persistent trade speculation that he may want to return to where his AFL career started.

Jackson was drafted by Melbourne and was a significant factor in the club ending its 57-year premiership drought in 2021.

Hailing from Western Australia, there was always a pull back home, and fortunately for the 2021 Rising Star, clubs were willing to accommodate.

Fremantle secured the deal for Jackson ahead of the 2023 campaign, but in recent months, reports have indicated that a "fresh" start could be on the agenda.

Eagles continue to eye WA duoEagles continue to eye WA duo
Luke Jackson during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

And the Demons are more than willing to facilitate that.

If Jackson were to head back to Melbourne, he wouldn't be the first player to do so in the competition, with over 20 names repurposing the phrase 'back to the future'.

Hawthorn's Jack Gunston is the only player on the list who is still active, returning to Hawthorn after 12 months in Brisbane colours.

Gary Ablett Jr. was the marquee signing of Gold Coast when they entered the league in 2011, but a homecoming felt right when he donned the Geelong hoops again in 2018.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 19: Gary Ablett of the Gold Suns poses for a portrait at Metricon Stadium on June 19, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. Ablett will play his 300th AFL game this weekend against St Kilda. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Ruckman Carl Ditterich couldn't decide between St Kilda and Melbourne, bouncing between the two clubs on three occasions between 1963 and 1980.

Ironically, Fremantle features the most in this list, with the club involved in seven players' careers, whether it be the home base or merely someone just passing through.

GWS and West Coast are yet to feature in the illustrious list.

Players who returned to their original club after playing elsewhere

Player Original Club
Secondary Club
Aaron Lord Geelong Hawthorn
Adam McPhee Essendon Fremantle
Brad Wira Fremantle
Brett Montgomery Western Bulldogs Port Adelaide
Carl Ditterich* St Kilda Melbourne
Chris Heffernan Essendon Melbourne
Chris Tarrant Collingwood Fremantle
Corey McKernan North Melbourne Carlton
Daniel Pratt North Melbourne Brisbane
David Cloke Richmond Collingwood
Dayne Beams Collingwood Brisbane
Eddie Betts Carlton Adelaide
Gary Ablett Jr. Geelong Gold Coast
Heath Black Fremantle St Kilda
Jack Gunston Hawthorn Brisbane
John Barnes Essendon Geelong
Josh Carr Port Adelaide Fremantle
Justin Murphy Carlton Geelong
Nathan Krakouer Port Adelaide Gold Coast
Paul Salmon Essendon Hawthorn
Peter Bell Fremantle
North Melbourne
Trent Croad Hawthorn Fremantle
Wawrick Capper Sydney Brisbane Bears
Zac Smith Gold Coast Geelong

*Played for both listed clubs twice.

Published by
Aidan Cellini