Josh Clayton

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Josh Clayton

| image = Josh Clayton 2018.1.jpg

| caption = Clayton in August 2018

| fullname = Josh Clayton

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|01|17|df=y}}

| birth_place =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| originalteam = Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup)

| draftpick = No. 86 (F/S), 2014 national draft

| debutdate = Round 22, 2016

| debutteam = {{AFL BL}}

| debutopponent = {{AFL Gee}}

| debutstadium = the Gabba

| height = 191 cm

| weight = 86 kg

| position = Midfield / half-forward

| currentclub = {{AFL BL}}

| guernsey = 19

| years1 = 2015–2017

| club1 = {{AFL BL}}

| games_goals1 = 2 (0)

| statsend = 2017

| careerhighlights =

}}

Josh Clayton (born 17 January 1996) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL). He is the son of former {{AFL Fit}} player and {{AFL GC}} list manager, Scott Clayton, and was drafted under the father-son rule.

Clayton showed promise as a versatile player from a young age and played with the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup and for Vic Metro in the 2014 AFL Under 18 Championships. After he was drafted, he played various roles in Brisbane's reserves team in the North East Australian Football League, but his inconsistency meant that he was only able to play in two AFL matches before he was delisted at the end of the 2017 season.

Early life

Due to his prospects as a potential father-son selection, Clayton was able to train with the {{AFL BL}} for two weeks in December 2013 and January 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-09-30/dads-the-word-for-lions-fatherson-clayton|title=Dad's the word for Lions father-son nominee Clayton|last=Twomey|first=Callum|date=30 September 2014|access-date=13 September 2017|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League}} In 2014, he played for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup and also represented Victoria Metro at the 2014 AFL Under 18 Championships.{{cite web|url=http://www.lions.com.au/player-profile/josh-clayton|title=Josh Clayton|website=lions.com.au|publisher=Brisbane Lions|access-date=13 September 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/teams/brisbane/brisbane-drafts-josh-clayton-son-of-former-fitzroy-player-and-gold-coast-recruiter-scott-clayton/news-story/56cf841d0e658b3666481fe67505c731?nk=dbb5d3da2da2d394eca7602ce9601004-1505292602|title=Brisbane drafts Josh Clayton, son of former Fitzroy player and Gold Coast recruiter Scott Clayton|last=Davis|first=Greg|date=6 October 2014|access-date=13 September 2017|newspaper=The Courier-Mail}} He played in a number of different positions, usually as a forward or midfielder and averaged 21.9 disposals per match in the TAC Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-08-26/medium-midfielders-unveiled|title=Petracca, Brayshaw and Heeney lead medium midfielders|last=McCartin|first=Charles|date=26 August 2014|access-date=13 September 2017|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League}}

AFL career

Clayton was drafted by the Brisbane Lions with their sixth selection and the eighty-sixth overall under the father–son rule in the 2014 national draft. Due to being a father-son selection and chosen in advance of the draft itself, Clayton was able to begin training with Brisbane a month early in November.{{cite web|url=http://www.lions.com.au/news/2014-10-06/meet-the-latest-lions|title=Meet the latest lions|last=Lord|first=Sam|date=6 October 2014|access-date=13 September 2017|website=lions.com.au|publisher=Brisbane Lions}} His first season was expected to be mainly focused on development{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-11/forward-thinking-part-one|title=Forward thinking: your club's goal-kicking options - Adelaide to GWS|date=11 March 2015|access-date=13 September 2017|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League}} and he didn't play any games in the AFL in his first season, instead spending time playing for Brisbane's reserves side in the NEAFL playing in a number of different roles while the team suffered many player losses due to injuries. Though his initial contract lasted until the end of the 2016 season, he signed a contract extension at the end of 2015, adding another year to his contract and tying him at the club until 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.lions.com.au/news/2015-12-18/clayton-resigns|title=Josh Clayton Re-Signs Until 2017|date=18 December 2015|access-date=13 September 2017|website=lions.com.au|publisher=Brisbane Lions}}

In 2016, Clayton played mainly across half-forward, but also had many stints across half-back throughout the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-09-19/player-reviews-part-four|title=Player Reviews: Part 4|date=19 September 2016|access-date=13 September 2016|website=lions.com.au|publisher=Brisbane Lions}} Despite inconsistent form,{{cite web|url=http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-07-27/reserves-wrap-v-southport|title=Reserves Wrap: v Southport|date=27 July 2016|access-date=13 September 2016|website=lions.com.au|publisher=Brisbane Lions}} he impressed enough to make his debut in Brisbane's sixty point loss to {{AFL Gee}} in round 22 at the Gabba.{{cite news|url=http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-08-19/squad-named-for-geelong|title=Final team named for Geelong|date=19 August 2016|work=Lions.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=21 August 2016}} He averaged 19 disposals per game in the NEAFL,{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-late-mail-round-22-jimmy-bartel-out-for-geelong-jesse-hogan-and-jeff-garlett-in-doubt-for-melbourne/news-story/c36fed243193076388810559a513f8af?nk=dbb5d3da2da2d394eca7602ce9601004-1505294527|title=AFL Late Mail Round 22: Jimmy Bartel out for Geelong, Jesse Hogan and Jeff Garlett in doubt for Melbourne|date=19 August 2016|access-date=13 September 2017|work=Fox Sports}} but in the two AFL games he played as a half-forward he only managed a combined total of 12 disposals.[https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/J/Josh_Clayton.html Josh Clayton's player profile at AFL Tables] He was delisted at the conclusion of the 2017 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.triplem.com.au/sport/afl/news/5-players-delisted-from-the-lions|title=5 Players Delisted From The Lions|date=12 September 2017|work=Triple M|access-date=12 September 2017}}

Player profile

Clayton is a versatile player, who throughout his career played in the forward line, midfield and in defence. During his career, he was known for his athleticism and decision-making while in possession of the football. He also had good aerial skills and lateral movement, allowing him to easily move through traffic in the midfield. He also showed prowess as a forward with his fast and smart leading. For a while he played across half-back in the NEAFL, but struggled more in defence than he did elsewhere on the ground.{{cite web|url=http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-04-27/reserves-wrap-v-aspley|title=Reserves Wrap: v Aspley|date=27 April 2017|access-date=13 September 2017|website=lions.com.au|publisher=Brisbane Lions}} In his two AFL games, he was noted for his running ability.

Personal life

Clayton's father is Scott Clayton, who played 160 games for {{AFL Fit}} and worked as {{AFL GC}}'s list manager. This helped Clayton with his adjustment to AFL even though Scott worked for a different club than the one that Clayton was drafted by.