Gram determined to revive career

Sacked St Kilda footballer Jason Gram has defiantly declared his dismissal from the club was unfair, and declared he wanted back in the AFL.

The 28-year-old was sacked by the club after relationship issues with a former girlfriend, with the club repeatedly giving the former star warnings about his off-field issues.

Gram is now playing country footy in a bid to return to the big time, News Ltd reported.

However, before he does, he wanted to set the record straight.

"I am really upset with some of the things that have been said towards me, calling me certain things which are far from the truth," Gram told the Herald Sun.

"Sometimes I go down the street or am at a club or a bar, and someone yells out to me across the room.

"It's unbelievable what they say. It upsets me someone would think that and say that. It is Chinese whispers. It is just full-blown lies. It is disappointing but the people who know the truth are my family and friends."

Gram believed his punishment was too harsh for what he called a "personal issue," and said he still had enough in the tank to play at AFL level.

"It's not like I killed anyone, it's not like I bashed anyone. It was a private matter - there was a fight between myself and another person.

"I had some personal issues but I don't think the club needed to jump on board and sack me. They gave me warnings but I still don't believe they needed to sack me. I think it was a private matter and I don't think it was worthy of me getting the a-- over. I am shattered that my football career ended like that. I spent nine years at St Kilda. I barracked for St Kilda as a kid, and I love the St Kilda football club, but there are a few things I don't love there.

"They say they gave me some help and maybe they did, but it was a personal issue that I was going through and it was only going to take a few more weeks or a month to get over it.

"St Kilda have had a few issues in the past so they felt they might need to jump on me, but other clubs I have spoken to said they wouldn't have done that."

Yet despite his bitterness over the axing, he admits he did share some of the blame.

"I am just disappointed with myself and a little bit angry at myself, and a little bit angry with the Saints for what they have done, but there is nothing that can be done about it.

"I kick myself now when I think about it. If I had let it all go back then, I would still be on the list, and still training with the Saints at the moment. It's just disappointing St Kilda went down the path of sacking me. I still believe I am in their best 18."

Despite being delisted by the Saints before the national draft, the defender decided not to nominate deciding he needed to step away from football.

But now he's back and ready to give it one more shot.