Clayton played 125 games for the Port Adelaide Magpies in the South Australian National Football League between 2005 and 2012.

Although he wasn't able to win a premiership with the powerhouse club, he did collect five club best and fairest awards, as well as the Magarey Medal for the SANFL's best player in 2005.

"Bruce Abernethy was MC on the night and at one stage he was talking about somebody who had won four premierships and that's about normal for Port Adelaide," Clayton told the Wimmera Mail-Times.

"Unfortunately premierships weren't for me, but this is my premiership. This is something that I haven't got anywhere else and won't get anywhere else."

As to how the award compares to his other accolades, Clayton said he "was probably more proud of the loyalty" associated with Life Membership.

"I remember when I signed to come over here, I said to Mum I'll come over here for 12 months and I can tick that box and come home," he said.

"And she said 'you'll be there for ten years'. 17 years later I'm still here with absolutely no intention of going anywhere else.

"It just proves mums know best."

Before he arrived at the Magpies, Clayton was originally taken at pick 26 in the 2002 AFL Rookie Draft by North Melbourne. He went onto play eight senior games for the Roos, before being de-listed at the end of 2004.

While at the Kangaroos, he spent time playing for North's Victorian Football League affiliated side Port Melbourne and would have won the League's best and Fairest (Liston Trophy) in 2003, had it not been for a suspension.

Since retiring in 2012 Clayton has been an active member of Port Adelaide's past players committee and he currently coaches the under 12s at the Port Districts Football Club.

With his playing days behind him, Clayton said looking back he never expected to get so much from his football career.

"To be honest it's probably gotten me everything in my life," he said.

"It took me over here to get married and have three kids.

"The people I've met, all my best friends here and in Victoria are all through football, other than the people I went to school with. So It's given me everything really.

"I always had aspirations to play AFL footy but to be honest when I played AFL football it wasn't what I thought it would be. When you're the 25th to 40th person on a list it's a bloody hard spot to be."