Thomas Gillies Biography

Tom Gillies says he could have been a premiership player for Hawthorn if circumstances had been different.

At the end of 2011, the Hawks offered Gillies a lucrative three-year deal, but Geelong had him and refused to trade despite Gillies playing only eight games in three seasons.

The then-21-year-old defender, who was full-back in the TAC Cup's 2008 Team of the Year, managed just five more matches in the 2012 season – and the Cats subsequently delisted him.

Melbourne gave him an AFL lifeline, and he played in the first two rounds for a 79-point loss to Port Adelaide and a 148-point defeat to Essendon. Gillies was never seen again at AFL level.

"Hawthorn was looking for someone to play on the gorillas, and I remember thinking it was a really good opportunity for Tom," Gillies' manager at the time, Tim Hazell, said.

"We were open and honest with Geelong, but, unfortunately, it got put down pretty quick.

"Back then, allowing a player to move while under contract was frowned upon. Now, we would have just forced the matter and got it done."

Five players including James Sellar, Josh Tynan, Troy Davis, Tom Gillies and Tom Couch are delisted from Melbourne.

Neville Jetta, Tom Gillies, Tom Couch, Troy Davis and Michael Evans have all inked new deals for 2013 with Melbourne.

Axed Geelong defender Tom Gillies has been given an AFL lifeline by Melbourne, signing a one-year contract with the club.

"As a big bodied, tall defender, Tom fills a need within our playing group," Melbourne general manager of list management Tim Harrington said.

"Having been part of the AFL system for four years and entering his fifth, we believe Tom has a lot to offer the Melbourne Football Club."

Tom Gillies is set to nominate for the NAB AFL Draft after being told that Geelong will delist him.

"He's going to be delisted," Gillies' manager Tim Hazell said.

"We're going to let the dust settle from the trade period. Then we'll see what comes over the next couple of weeks in regards to hopefully getting picked up in the national draft."

Defender Tom Gillies does not have a contract with Geelong and is not sure he's going to get one.

"He doesn't have a contract at Geelong at this stage and he hasn't been told anything else," Gillies' manager Peter Blucher said.

"I guess he's on the market, like so many. Tom obviously wants to be an AFL player, so that's his interest in this process."

Geelong defender Tom Gillies is hoping to cement a spot in the senior team in 2012.

"It's hard playing in the VFL and trying to get a spot in the ones every week," he said.

"So I just want to get an opportunity in the senior team and hopefully settle down there for a while. We'll see what happens.

"There are a few spots opening up thanks to the retirements. I'm definitely excited about this year because of that."

Geelong defender Tom Gillies has asked to be traded to Hawthorn despite the Cats' insistence he's a required player.

"For Tom, this has come from left field," Gillies' manager Tim Hazell said.

"It's a tough one because he's contracted to Geelong [for another season], and they have the cards and we need them to fall the right way for what we would like to happen."

Geelong draftee Tom Gillies says his elevation to AFL ranks has exceeded his initial plans for 2009.

Injuries to Geelong's key defenders have presented an opportunity for Gillies to experience senior football.

"I didn't expect to play seniors this year, considering Geelong has such a good team," Gillies said.

"It's been great to just get an opportunity. It's been a dream come true.

"Playing seniors has opened my eyes up to AFL football and where I have to get better, because I didn't realise how good things like skills and speed and tackles were.

"If I go back to the VFL, I'll be a better player for it."

Geelong's narrow loss to St Kilda takes a heavy toll with four of the Cats' premiership players to miss this week.

Matthew Scarlett, Cameron Ling, Darren Milburn and James Kelly have all been sidelined.

The loss of All-Australian defenders Scarlett and Milburn has opened the door for 19-year-old Tom Gillies to make his debut, while Ryan Gamble, David Wojcinksi and Tom Lonergan come back into the side.

Scarlett has back tightness, Ling has knee tendonitis, Milburn rolled his ankle and Kelly was left out after pulling up this week with a tight hamstring. Kelly and Scarlett are expected to return for the round 16 game against Melbourne, while the club last night said Ling's condition would be monitored over the next week.