Tony Armstrong Biography

Collingwood has delisted a further four players with Hawthorn premiership player Clinton Young and journeyman midfielder Sam Dwyer headlining the club's list changes.

The Magpies have also decided to release rookies Tony Armstrong and Michael Tanteit, while Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas have been let go as part of their two-year suspensions for taking banned drug clenbuterol.

Collingwood selects Tony Armstrong with pick No.43 in the 2014 NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

"We obviously know he can come into the team, play multiple roles and not look out of place," Magpies recruiting manager Derek Hine said.

Collingwood delist Tony Armstrong with a promise to re-draft him as a rookie.

"In recognition of Tony's strong finish we have committed to taking him as a mature-age rookie," Collingwood's list manager Derek Hine said.

"He found his way with a number of fine performances that convinced us he has a role to play in the 2015 campaign."

Collingwood sign former Swan Tony Armstrong as a delisted free agent.

"Tony is a lovely kick with either foot and a pacey defender we think can make a strong contribution," Collingwood list manager Derek Hine said.

"He has played senior football and what he is capable of was on display in the NEAFL grand final when he won the Alex Jesaulenko Medal as best afield."

Tony Armstrong is expected to join Collingwood after being delisted by the Swans ahead of Thursday's list lodgement deadline.

Armstrong was expected to join Collingwood as part of the trade that sent Jesse White to the Westpac Centre, but he was eventually withheld from that deal.

Tony Armstrong says he had mixed feelings about missing out on the Swans' premiership in 2012 after being named as an emergency in the Grand Final side.

"After the boys ran out, I was down in the rooms with (fellow emergencies) Tommy Walsh and Trent Dennis-Lane," Armstrong said.

"We just had a shower, got changed and sat with all the other players and family right behind the goals.

"It was kind of a strange thing really. You felt part of it, but then you didn't. It was really weird, but awesome at the same time, seeing some of my best mates win a flag."

Adelaide and the Sydney Swans have completed a trade that will see Tony Armstrong and Lewis Johnston swap clubs.

"With the addition of Tom Mitchell under the father-son rule this week, we think we've got a number of strong inside midfielders at the club. Tony will bring something else we need, in that he has the ability to run and break the lines and to use the ball well,'' Sydney coach John Longmire said.

The Swans hope to secure homesick defender Tony Armstrong from Adelaide during trade week.

"He's a player who's got some family up in Sydney so he's a player who's looking if he could to get back to Sydney," he said.

"I think Adelaide has got a couple of things going on this week so we just have to wait and see how that transpires."

Defender Tony Armstrong is set to re-join Crows full-time from next week following injury, club suspension and finding form in the SANFL.

"What happens with a lot of those guys, who are breaking into the team, is that they train here, wonder whether they're going to play AFL footy then miss out on selection and go through that disappointment," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said about sending Armstrong back to the SANFL during the last two weeks.

"By taking this form of management, [we basically said] don't even worry about AFL, Tony. Just go back and play in the league side at North and play good footy there."

Adelaide has handed Tony Armstrong a raft of sanctions, including a four-match ban to start the 2011 season, for drink driving.

"These penalties are particularly strong given that Tony chose to avoid contact with the club and his management in the 24 hours after the offence, which put the club, AFL and his teammates in an awkward position in trying to determine what had actually happened," Adelaide football manager Phil Harper said.

"Tony is extremely remorseful and has vowed to accept any penalty handed to him by the club and the courts. He also vowed to work hard to regain the trust of his teammates and other colleagues at the Adelaide Football Club."

Adelaide expresses its disappointment with Tony Armstrong after the utility was caught drink driving at four times the limit.

"The club is just grateful that Tony did not injure or kill himself and also that no-one else was injured or killed as a result of his decision to drink and drive," the Crows said in a statement.

"The only positive was that he was caught so the club can now work with Tony to help him to understand the right choice in case he is ever faced with a similar situation in the future."

The prospect of trying to knock off his childhood hero is one that appeals to young Crow Tony Armstrong as Adelaide prepare to face Sydney in round 2.

"I grew up in western Sydney and supported the Swans. I just loved Michael O'Loughlin and Adam Goodes. Hopefully, I get a game this weekend and I can get out there and rub shoulders with [Goodes]," Armstrong said.

"You'd treat him like any other player, but hopefully after the game I could go up and shake his hand and tell him I grew up idolising him."

Tony Armstrong makes his AFL debut for Adelaide with 11 disposals (5 kicks and 6 handballs) and 4 marks in a 56-point loss to Fremantle.