A terminal diagnosis and a tear-filled wedding: Inside AFL star Jeremy Finlayson's relationship.

The biggest moment in the weekend's round of AFL was a speech – or, more specifically, a declaration of love.

More than any score, the greatest talking point came when Jeremy Finlayson spoke to Channel 7 moments after playing a pivotal role in Port Adelaide's two-point victory over Sydney on April 8.

"I hope she's watching. I love her so much," he said of his wife, Kellie.

"This is just a reward of sticking tough, and doing it for Kel and Soph back home. I'm just happy to be out here playing footy and doing what I love."

"I hope she's watching. I love her so much."

Jeremy Finlayson paid tribute to his wife Kellie, who is fighting cancer ❤️#AFLSwansPort pic.twitter.com/yotn2vtYZC

— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 8, 2023

Kellie is facing a major health battle, having been first diagnosed with stage-three bowel cancer three months after the birth of their daughter Sophia in 2021.

After a year of treatment and surgeries, Kellie's cancer was in remission. But only six months later, she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.

Jeremy and Kellie Finlayson's wedding.

Jeremy proposed to Kellie in June 2022, and the couple had originally planned their wedding for October.

But following her most recent diagnosis, they brought the date forward and planned the event in just three weeks.

In March, Jeremy and Kellie married in an intimate ceremony at Tennyson Beach in South Australia.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KELLIE FINLAYSON (@kelliefinlayson_)

Their daughter Sophia walked down the aisle, followed by Kellie with her dad and maid of honour.

"Watching Kel walk down the aisle with her dad was just breathtaking, one of the most memorable, precious moments of my life," the footy star told Woman's Day.

 "I couldn't have asked for a better day. One of the best I'll ever live.

"I made a vow to Sophia to take care of her while her mummy can't and [I'll] continue to do so for the rest of my life."

The couple surprised each other with personalised vows, which Kellie said brought everyone to tears.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the room," she said. "It was so special to be able to read them in front of our friends and family... everyone was stoked to see us get married after everything we've dealt with in the past 18 months."

"My first year of motherhood was taken from me."

In January, Kellie spoke to 7Life about how her diagnosis had impacted her family.

"My first year of motherhood was taken from me so suddenly and so aggressively that I still grieve the days I've missed," she said.

"Obviously treatment was hard. It was literally killing me in order to kill the cancer that was thriving in my bowel. But it wasn't just killing cells, it was also killing my soul. And while I was fighting every day to get better physically, I was also fighting mentally in order to be the best mum I possibly could be, given the circumstances."

Kellie knew she wouldn't be 'in the clear', but after a year of treatment her doctor was optimistic that she was in a good spot.

"My surgeon was great, he was all optimistic. He will tell you that it’s not all 100 per cent likelihood of it not coming back, but he was very optimistic with everything going forward, so I was [thinking], 'I'm good.' And if not, I'm in good hands."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KELLIE FINLAYSON (@kelliefinlayson_)

In February, she told The Soda Room podcast she was furious after learning only months later that the cancer had spread to her lungs.

"I was angry – that was probably the main emotion. The other was scared; not for myself, but for Sophia and Jez," she said.

In March, she was awarded the Inspiration Award at the Adelaide Advertiser Woman of the Year awards.

"I don't want anyone else to go through what I've gone through, and if I can save one person's life from an early detection... that's all I'm really here for," she said while accepting the award on stage.

"It's easier spoken about than hidden away."

The family's AFL support.

After Jeremy referenced Kellie in his post-match speech, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley sung his praises.

Hinkley referenced Jeremy's own ankle surgery earlier this year, and his winning kick during the March 8 match.

"He's had surgery this year already, he's had a few things that are pretty tough for him to handle," he said.

"I didn't mind who kicked it, I'm just grateful that we kicked it, but I'm equally pleased it was Jeremy."

Hinkley said the entire team was there for him and Kellie.

"He's got a really tight, really incredibly close family, and he's got a really close family at our footy club as well. His family and our family join together, and we support their family and he supports us, and that's how you get through."

Feature image: Instagram @kelliefinlayson_/Channel 7.

-With AAP.