Crows recruit Curtly Hampton has described his move to Adelaide as a ‘homecoming’ of sorts.
Hampton, who had a year to run on his contract, became a Crow on Friday after Greater Western Sydney agreed to a trade which will see Adelaide hand over its second-round pick in 2016 for the promising 22-year-old.
Originally from Alice Springs, Hampton left home at the age of 15 to pursue an education and his football dream as a boarder at Immanuel College in Adelaide. The former AIS-AFL Academy captain was completing Year 12 when he was selected by GWS as a Northern Territory Zone Selection.
His younger brother Jamie, who turns 17 this month, currently attends Immanuel College and was a standout for the NT in Division Two at this year’s AFL Under-18 Championships. Hampton’s girlfriend, Emma, is from Port Augusta, while his cousin Graeme plays at SANFL club West Adelaide.
Hampton said he was excited to be back in Adelaide and playing for the Club he grew up supporting.
“When we got here, it sort of felt like a homecoming and we’re pretty happy to be here,” he said.
“Adelaide is a bit closer to where I’m from, Alice Springs, as well. I’ve been away from home for a long time … and this year was a bit of a tough season for me. Coming back here, we thought it would be a good idea to be closer to family again and take that weight off my shoulders.
“I was at the Giants for five years and I built a lot of good relationships there, but it’s good to be here now. I was a Crows fan when I was younger, so I’m really excited and can’t wait to get started in pre-season.”
Hampton played 51 games in four AFL seasons at Greater Western Sydney.
His first year (2011) was spent playing with GWS in the NEAFL before making his AFL debut in the club’s inaugural game against the Sydney Swans in Round One, 2012. He kicked a career-high three goals in the Giants’ first-ever game against Adelaide in Round Four, 2012.
Despite showing good form in the NEAFL, Hampton was starved of opportunities in the talent-laden GWS team in 2015. After being a regular in the side in 2012-2013, the athletic utility missed half of last season because of a shoulder injury and was limited to five AFL games this year.
Hampton said he was determined to re-establish himself as his new Club.
“I just want to settle in well. I want to get to know all the boys and build relationships with them and the coaches,” he said.
“I’ll work hard over the pre-season. I really want to come in and cement my place at the Club with hard work. Obviously, everyone wants to play a game, so that’s a goal as well.”
Hampton was originally recruited by the Giants as a half-forward and midfielder, but has played predominantly as a rebounding defender at AFL level.
At 186cm and 88kg, Hampton has the speed, size, flair and skills to play a variety of positions.
“I enjoy it (at half-back), but I really want to try and expand my horizons and get a bit of time through the midfield because that’s where I believe I can play my best footy,” he said.
“If I want to play there (I need to have) the running capabilities, so I’ve got to have a really good pre-season. At the end of the day, I’ll just be happy to play wherever the Club feels they need me.”
Hampton’s childhood idol was champion Crow and fellow Territorian, Andrew McLeod.
“No surprise there … Andrew is a lot of Indigenous people’s idol especially coming from the Northern Territory,” Hampton said.
“I used to love him (McLeod) and Tony Modra.
“I’ve met Bunji, which was a bit surreal … meeting Mods, I’ll be pretty star struck!”
