NEW Demon Tom Campbell says the chance to renew his partnership with lead ruck Max Gawn was a key factor in his decision to pull on the red and blue.

The new ruck tandem first crossed paths in the TAC Cup for the Sandringham Dragons in 2009 and Gawn was quick to mark the full circle moment. 

“I can’t wait, it was definitely one of the big draw cards to come to the club, to work alongside Max,” Campbell said. 

“He text me to say 16 years later mate, we’re back together again. 

“It’s a really cool opportunity to work alongside big Max, I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season and alongside one of the greats.” 

Making the move from St Kilda to Melbourne, Ruckman Tom Campbell finds himself at his fourth AFL club.  

After a stand-out year for Sandringham Zebras in the VFL, seeing him win a best and fairest, Campbell made the move to Melbourne.

With 42 games for Western Bulldogs, 12 for North Melbourne and four for St Kilda under his belt, Campbell finds himself at another new AFL club and full of excitement to get started.

“It’s ben a really exciting time, I recently finished up at the St Kilda Football Club and was on holiday with my family,” Campbell told Melbourne media. 

“We were enjoying a bit of off-season then I got a call from my manager saying Simon Goodwin wanted a chat. 

“It all happened really fast, but it’s incredibly exciting and the first thing I experienced with my wife was the excitement of coming to the Dees.”  

A love for AFL is one hard to shake, so when Melbourne called, Campbell was eager to grab the opportunity with both hands.  

“I love the game, I love competing and I love going out there with my teammates every weekend,” said Campbell. 

“I love trying to get the best out of myself and improving every week, as I’ve  gotten older I often think about my on field performance but also off field, what I can give back to my team mates and the footy club.  

 “I’m really looking forward to how I can support the young players, especially a guy like Will Verrall in his development.”  

Away from the footy world, Campbell keeps himself very busy, founding Footy for Climate, an organisation driven to help footy communities impacted by climate change.    

“I founded footy for climate which is an organisation that uses the platform of elite players in the AFL and AFLW to support community and grassroots footy clubs that have been impacted by climate change,” Campbell added.  

“We know that 535 clubs have needed financial assistance from the AFL due to extreme weather events and the work of Footy for Climate is all about giving back to those communities.”