Tom has traded the blue and white hoops for the green of Nutrien Ag Solutions, with the Finley native pursuing his passion for agriculture post-footy by joining the organisation as a livestock representative.
Along with commitments for Geelong’s corporate hospitality team and providing analysis for Fox Footy, Tom’s responsibilities for Nutrien Ag are keeping him busy, taking him across Victoria.
And it’s in the saleyards where the former AFL star was in his element, outlining his desire to make a go of it in the industry, he told Country News on April 15.
“I’m doing two days a week at Nutrien,” Tom said.
“I’ve got a passion for this. Just like I followed my passion for footy, my other passion is livestock and agriculture, and I thought this was the best place to hone my skills.
“I’m very much a rookie when it comes to being back in and around the industry; I’ve always followed it from afar.
“I’m really enjoying it because it helps when you’ve got a passion, and the people have been great.”
Three days after his Shepparton appearance, Tom took to the footy field once again, this time for Finley — two decades, three AFL flags and 796 goals since his last game for the club.
The 36-year-old donned the famed #26 under Good Friday night lights in a rivalry clash against Deniliquin at Finley Recreation Reserve.
Pre-game, the formidable ‘Tomahawk’', fresh from his stellar AFL career, shared his mix of excitement and nervous anticipation for the clash.
“To be honest, I’m a touch nervous,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do while I was playing for Geelong.
“I don’t get up to Finley nearly as much as I’d like, but I’m still connected with many people down there.
“Having gone through the junior program and seen the ebbs and flows of the Finley footy club and the importance of what footy and netball does for the community, it’s always been a goal to get back and play.
“The Finley v Deni game makes the most sense for me because I’m well-connected to Deni through my wife Emma and her parents.
“The rivalry pieces are in place and that will be played out as much as it wants to, but it’s also a bit of an opportunity to celebrate Finley and Deni.”
The wheels started turning almost a decade ago, when Tom and former Finley president Ash Haynes struck up a ‘contract’, a famous piece of paper which was drafted and redrafted as Tom’s career went through ebbs and flows of its own.
“I’ve always had, I suppose you can call it, a signed contract with Ash Haynes,” Tom said.
“He put it up on his pinboard when he was president of the footy club. We had to keep scrubbing it on and off and changing the year.
“Ash technically gave me my first job; I used to sell eggs in his butcher store. He’s always been a great friend.”
His presence proved pivotal for the winless Finley Cats, booting four goals in a 15-point triumph in front of thousands of fans.
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