Former AFL WAG Kellie Finlayson, who is sadly currently fighting terminal cancer, has disclosed the surprising job her husband Jeremy is doing to support their family, after he was let go by Port Adelaide.

Kellie, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer after doctors found a tennis ball-sized tumour in her colon when she was just 25, reached her 30th birthday earlier this year.

Her husband Jeremy, aged 29, was one of Port Adelaide’s biggest stars.

But the veteran ruckman was delisted from the club in August, alongside four other players. 

While Finlayson has joined up with a local South Australian footy club for the 2026 season, Kellie revealed on Instagram on Monday that her husband is also doing shift work as a ‘reach stacker’. 

In the post on her Instagram story, Kellie joked that she did not know what a ‘reach stacker’ was, before stating that she does not believe he will return to take up a role with Port Adelaide in the future.  

Kellie Finlayson has revealed how her former AFL player husband, Jeremy (pictured), has taken up a job as a 'reach stacker'

Kellie Finlayson has revealed how her former AFL player husband, Jeremy (pictured), has taken up a job as a ‘reach stacker’ 

Finlayson (pictured) also stated that Jeremy is unlikely to play a role with Port Adelaide in the future

Finlayson (pictured) also stated that Jeremy is unlikely to play a role with Port Adelaide in the future

The couple (pictured with daughter Sophie) have endured a lot of adversity in the last few years

The couple (pictured with daughter Sophie) have endured a lot of adversity in the last few years 

A reach stacker is a specialist in heavy-duty logistics. The role includes being responsible for operating a high-capacity mobile crane to transport and stack shipping containers or heavy cargo.

‘He’s (Jeremy) mostly the default parent… but he does shift work,’ Kellie said during an Instagram Q&A.

‘I’m not going to pretend what a reach stacker is but this is his uniform.’

Jeremy, who returned 166 goals across 128 games in the AFL, will now twin his role as a reach stacker with his commitments to the Myponga-Sellicks Mudlarks, who are located 60km south of Adelaide. 

‘He’s been working with me and mentioned he was looking at life after footy and was keen to play at the local level,’ Mudlarks coach Justin Richardson said to The Advertiser.

‘The whole club is really excited to have Jeremy, Kellie and their daughter Sophia on and off the field.’

It is understood that Jeremy has ambitions to further his coaching skills while playing for the club. 

‘It’s not just that he’s come out of the AFL but he’s a tall target who can play anywhere and players like that don’t grow on trees,’ Richardson added.

Jeremy was delisted from Port Adelaide earlier this year, following a four-year spell at the club

Jeremy was delisted from Port Adelaide earlier this year, following a four-year spell at the club

The 29-year-old was pictured leaving the club with his club belongings in garbage bags in a graphic illustration of how cutthroat life in the AFL can be

The 29-year-old was pictured leaving the club with his club belongings in garbage bags in a graphic illustration of how cutthroat life in the AFL can be

‘The boys are pumped to have him and they’re looking forward to hopefully challenging again next season.’ 

The footy star was drafted to GWS in 2014 and spent seven years on the Giants’ books before moving to Port in 2022. 

Injuries have restricted his playing time, with Finlayson making only 20 appearances for the club across the past two seasons. 

Kellie has endured a nightmare run with health issues over the last five years, but has been able to keep fighting.

The couple were married in 2023 and have a daughter called Sophie. 

The inspiring mum, is regularly seen sharing a glimpse into her family life, with Kellie informing her followers in August that she was returning to work as a maths teacher after a three-year absence. 

‘First day back on the tools in three years,’ she said, while publishing a snap of herself preparing for her return to the classroom.  

And earlier this December, Kellie celebrated her 30th birthday.  

Injuries have hampered his playing time in the past two years, with Finlayson making only 20 appearances for the club across the past two seasons

Injuries have hampered his playing time in the past two years, with Finlayson making only 20 appearances for the club across the past two seasons

Kellie also revealed she was heading back to work as a maths teacher in August having spent three years away from the classroom

Kellie also revealed she was heading back to work as a maths teacher in August having spent three years away from the classroom

‘I made it!’ she told her followers on Instagram. 

‘I expected to feel a decade older the moment I woke up. I didn’t, obviously.

‘I was spiralling the day before, not because I didn’t want to enter my 30s. I, more than anyone, know ageing is a privilege.

‘It was more around the fact that four years ago, no one, including myself, thought that I would turn 30.

‘But I did, I am here, and I plan to see 40, 50 and 60, too.’

She celebrated the big milestone by spending a weekend away with her husband and daughter on a countryside getaway.

Earlier this year, Kellie also released her first book, entitled There Must Be More: Finding Purpose In A Life With Cancer.

The book focuses on how she has dealt with her devastating diagnosis. 

She explained she was ‘so incredibly proud to share this piece with me and the world, and still so confused every day as to why my story is worthy of being literally printed in a book.’ 

‘Imposter syndrome is screaming, but deep down, I know this is bigger than me.

‘This is for those who have faced devastation, for those who feel alone, for those who no longer have a voice to share their story.

‘For those who are stuck for words, for those who feel helpless.

‘I feel like I’ve lived a dozen lives, and somehow, beyond motherhood, becoming an author might just be the most surreal one yet.

‘This is hope. This is me – the rawest version of me.’