Thomas Campbell (born 2 November 1991) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne, St Kilda and Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
AFL career
Campbell was recruited by the Western Bulldogs in the 2012 Rookie Draft, with pick #27. He made his debut in Round 13, 2012, against Brisbane Lions at Docklands, having been promoted to the senior list to replace the suspended ruckman Will Minson.[1]
After being delisted by the Bulldogs at the conclusion of the 2018 AFL season, Campbell joined North Melbourne as a rookie in the AFL's new supplemental selection period (SSP). On his debut for North Melbourne, senior coach Brad Scott described Campbell as a fierce competitor who gives his all for the team. Campbell reached his 50th AFL game during the 2021 season, where he was lauded by his teammates and coaches for his leadership and guidance while playing tandem in the ruck with Todd Goldstein.[2] Campbell was delisted by the Kangaroos in October 2021,[3] but signed with St Kilda as a delisted free agent the following month.[4] He made his St Kilda debut against Port Adelaide at Cazalys stadium, Cairns during round 7 of the 2022 season.[5]
Considered a strong clubman and mentor to younger players, Campbell won the Saints 2023 Best Clubman Award, with the Saints’ Executive General Manager of Football describing Campbell’s impact on the club as ‘profound.’[6]
Campbell was delisted by the Saints at the conclusion of the 2024 season.[7] He was soon after signed by Melbourne as a delisted free agent for the 2025 season, in order to assist Melbourne’s All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn.[8]
After suffering a neck injury in the 2026 pre-season, Campbell announced his retirement from the AFL on May 15th 2026, without having played a game for Melbourne. [9]
Campbell played 17 game for the Casey Demons (Melbourne’s VFL affiliate) in 2025, and won the Ian Ridley Memorial Trophy (Club Ambassador Award) at the Demon’s 2025 awards.
Personal life
Campbell is an advocate for greater action to combat climate change and outside football is involved in several climate change projects.[10] Along with Jasper Pittard, Campbell launched the AFL Players for Climate action initiative in 2021,[11] later renamed Footy for Climate.[12]
Statistics
Updated to the end of the 2026 season.[13]
G |
Goals | K |
Kicks | D |
Disposals | T |
Tackles |
B |
Behinds | H |
Handballs | M |
Marks |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | Votes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | |||||
| 2012 | Western Bulldogs | 45 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 32 | 58 | 17 | 9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 4.6 | 8.3 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0 |
| 2013 | Western Bulldogs | 45 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 23 | 24 | 47 | 14 | 9 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 7.8 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0 |
| 2014 | Western Bulldogs | 45 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 24 | 46 | 13 | 19 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 6.6 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 0 |
| 2015 | Western Bulldogs | 15 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 43 | 67 | 14 | 13 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 4.0 | 7.2 | 11.2 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 0 |
| 2016 | Western Bulldogs | 15 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 55 | 51 | 106 | 33 | 24 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 11.8 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 0 |
| 2017 | Western Bulldogs | 15 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 31 | 34 | 65 | 15 | 33 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 9.3 | 2.1 | 4.7 | 0 |
| 2019 | North Melbourne | 42 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0 |
| 2020[a] | North Melbourne | 42 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2021 | North Melbourne | 42 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 49 | 51 | 100 | 35 | 14 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 11.1 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 0 |
| 2022 | St Kilda | 38 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 9 | 23 | 7 | 5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 7.0 | 4.5 | 11.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 0 |
| 2024 | St Kilda | 38 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 4.5 | 7.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Melbourne | 38 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 |
| 2026 | Melbourne | 38 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 |
| Career | 58 | 30 | 28 | 260 | 287 | 547 | 157 | 133 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 9.4 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 0 | ||
Notes
- ↑ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
References
- ↑ Collins, Ben (21 June 2012). "Without Will, there's a way". AFL.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- ↑ "Campbell standing tall".
- ↑ "Veteran defender, free-agent winger among four Roos culled".
- ↑ "Saints welcome Campbell". saints.com.au. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ↑ "TEAMS: Dons axe star mid, Swans add firepower, Dog gone". afl.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ↑ "Journeyman Campbell signs new deal". saints.com.au. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ↑ "Saints farewell four following list changes". St Kilda Football Club. 27 August 2024.
- ↑ "Dees secure support for Gawn as ruck lands at fourth AFL club". afl.com.au. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ↑ "Four-club ruck calls time on decorated career". afl.com.au. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
- ↑ "Campbell's climate call".
- ↑ "'We all have a role': More than 260 Australian rules footballers sign up to climate campaign". TheGuardian.com. 16 October 2021.
- ↑ "Big Saint on unexpected hotel guests, life as a back-up and what's next". www.afl.com.au. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ↑ "Tom Campbell1". AFL Tables. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
External links
- Tom Campbell's profile on the official website of the Melbourne Football Club
- Tom Campbell's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Tom Campbell at AustralianFootball.com
