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Josh Clayton
Josh Clayton
	Clayton in August 2018
Personal information
Full name	Josh Clayton
Date of birth	17 January 1996 (age 28)
Original team(s)	Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup)
Draft	No. 86 (F/S), 2014 national draft
Debut	Round 22, 2016, Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong, at the Gabba
Height	191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	86 kg (190 lb)
Position(s)	Midfield / half-forward
Club information
Current club	Brisbane Lions
Number	19
Playing career1
Years	Club
2015–2017	Brisbane Lions
	1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2017.
	Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

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 Fitzroy player and Gold Coast 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 Brisbane Lions for two weeks in December 2013 and January 2014.^[1] In 2014, he played for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup and also represented Victoria Metro at the 2014 AFL Under 18 Championships.^[2]^[3] He played in a number of different positions, usually as a forward or midfielder^[1] and averaged 21.9 disposals per match in the TAC Cup.^[4]

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.^[3] 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.^[5] His first season was expected to be mainly focused on development^[6] 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.^[7]

In 2016, Clayton played mainly across half-forward, but also had many stints across half-back throughout the season.^[8] Despite inconsistent form,^[9] he impressed enough to make his debut in Brisbane's sixty point loss to Geelong in round 22 at the Gabba.^[10] He averaged 19 disposals per game in the NEAFL,^[11] but in the two AFL games he played as a half-forward^[8] he only managed a combined total of 12 disposals.^[12] He was delisted at the conclusion of the 2017 season.^[13]

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.^[4] He also showed prowess as a forward with his fast and smart leading.^[6] For a while he played across half-back in the NEAFL, but struggled more in defence than he did elsewhere on the ground.^[14] In his two AFL games, he was noted for his running ability.^[8]

Personal life

Clayton's father is Scott Clayton, who played 160 games for Fitzroy and worked as Gold Coast'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.^[1]

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2017 season^[12]

**Legend**
G	Goals	K	Kicks	D	Disposals	T	Tackles
B	Behinds	H	Handballs	M	Marks


Season	Team	No.	Games	Totals							Averages (per game)
Season	Team	No.	Games	G	B	K	H	D	M	T	G	B	K	H	D	M	T
2015	Brisbane Lions	19	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2016	Brisbane Lions	19	2	0	1	8	4	12	5	4	0.0	0.5	4.0	2.0	6.0	2.5	2.0
2017	Brisbane Lions	19	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Career			2	0	1	8	4	12	5	4	0.0	0.5	4.0	2.0	6.0	2.5	2.0

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Twomey, Callum (30 September 2014). "Dad's the word for Lions father-son nominee Clayton". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^ "Josh Clayton". lions.com.au. Brisbane Lions. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^ ^a ^b Davis, Greg (6 October 2014). "Brisbane drafts Josh Clayton, son of former Fitzroy player and Gold Coast recruiter Scott Clayton". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^ ^a ^b McCartin, Charles (26 August 2014). "Petracca, Brayshaw and Heeney lead medium midfielders". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^ Lord, Sam (6 October 2014). "Meet the latest lions". lions.com.au. Brisbane Lions. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^ ^a ^b "Forward thinking: your club's goal-kicking options - Adelaide to GWS". AFL.com.au. Australian Football League. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^ "Josh Clayton Re-Signs Until 2017". lions.com.au. Brisbane Lions. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Player Reviews: Part 4". lions.com.au. Brisbane Lions. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
^ "Reserves Wrap: v Southport". lions.com.au. Brisbane Lions. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
^ "Final team named for Geelong". Lions.com.au. Bigpond. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
^ "AFL Late Mail Round 22: Jimmy Bartel out for Geelong, Jesse Hogan and Jeff Garlett in doubt for Melbourne". Fox Sports. 19 August 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
^ ^a ^b Josh Clayton's player profile at AFL Tables
^ "5 Players Delisted From The Lions". Triple M. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
^ "Reserves Wrap: v Aspley". lions.com.au. Brisbane Lions. 27 April 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.