Welcome Welcome to Adelaide: Isaac Cumming

[Cromulant]

Sidebottom coming in clutch was the only thing stopping Billy from being showered in rotten vegetables.

Few blokes "umpiring" helped too.

 

[Eddie Murphy]

A bloke called Billy Frampton played in a flag last year. Wasnt considered good enough for us either

Billy didn’t have two years remaining with one of the largest contracts in our club. Billy was cheap depth at our club and traded to remain cheap depth at Collingwood. This is often the case with fringe key position players (ie Himmelberg).

Two of our biggest weaknesses this year were our midfield and our transition from d50 and Laird can’t crack either area. He’d be one of the most expensive depth players going around and I doubt he’d want to move to remain a depth player elsewhere.

 

[Cromulant]

Billy didn’t have two years remaining with one of the largest contracts in our club. Billy was cheap depth at our club and traded to remain cheap depth at Collingwood. This is often the case with fringe key position players (ie Himmelberg).

Two of our biggest weaknesses this year were our midfield and our transition from d50 and Laird can’t crack either area. He’d be one of the most expensive depth players going around and I doubt he’d want to move to remain a depth player elsewhere.

I doubt he'd be depth.

Yeah he fell away a fair bit this year but someone would find a spot in the 22 for him no doubt.

 

[crow2crow]

I think his point is correct but he chose a bad example with Frampton. That was a Steven Bradbury type of deal.

Yeh I know. Just on Bradbury the WHOLE story of the ten years previous is extremely interesting and changes perspective completely. Most inspirational sports speech i have heard first hand. There are many ways to win - and you need to know the whole story.

 

[Dangerousfield]

I doubt he'd be depth.

Yeah he fell away a fair bit this year but someone would find a spot in the 22 for him no doubt.

Doesn't have a place in the 15th side but "someone" would find a spot"? Absolutely no point discussing Laird not being on our list, has a contract, he's not getting talked into going anywhere but the AFC

Is Cumming now our highest paid player?

 

[Cromulant]

Doesn't have a place in the 15th side but "someone" would find a spot"? Absolutely no point discussing Laird not being on our list, has ac ontract, he's not getting talked into going anywhere but the AFC

Is Cumming now our highest paid player?

If you dont think theres clubs out there who could easily find a spot for Laird in their 22 you're kidding yourself.

I dont want him in ours either, but thats not strictly down to playing ability.

 

[beartoo]

The end is coming rapidly. One of the key signs of career end is when HTBs become the order of the day.
This happened, for example, to Tyson Edwards and Kane Cornes, and is now glaringly obvious for Laird.

2023 he had 34 frees against.
2024 he had 26 frees against--average 1.1 per game.
Yeah, that cliff's coming quick.
Gets far more frees than he gives away.
Sorry this doesn't support your agenda.

On SM-A115F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Bring back Bas]

I think our biggest list need (outside of an elite mid) is a genuine small forward with goal sense and pressure. Next would be a decent ruck. Hopefully we address this through the draft.

That depends how much midfield time Rankine plays, I guess. I would like to see him with a 50/50 split as he is so valuable up forward. If Rankine is forward 50% of the time, there is not a huge need in my opinion as nearly every side in the competition would be envious of the Rankine, Rachelle combination. Someone more defensively minded (who isn't Murphy) would be nice but I think we already have him in Pedlar. Overall, I don't disagree and it would free Rankine up for more midfield time but I wouldn't have it as our biggest need (outside of an elite mid).

I posted the below about a month ago on the main board about what I thought our needs are. I'm really pleased that we have secured Cumming.

I think Adelaide will be okay if they can land a couple of the players that appear to be available whilst holding on to their first pick in this draft. The biggest list needs in my opinion are:

1. Wingman. Scholl has had a really good back half of the season and is fine if he can keep up that standard but they are lacking someone on the other wing. Cumming is not the best player going around but he would be a perfect fit for Adelaide, addressing their biggest deficiency.

2. Midfield. An established gun midfielder would be nice but I think Adelaide would be just as well served with one of the real top level midfielders at the draft. Their current pick looks in prime position to draft one.

3. Ruck. O'Brien is fine but there is really no pressure coming from below and no young ruck in waiting. Surely this will need to be addressed this year, either at the draft, trade table or both.

4. Midfield depth. This is something that won't be entirely addressed in one off-season but the midfiled depth will need to be continually added to over the coming years. This can be done via the draft. Rachelle and Pedlar looked at one point like they might become gun midfielders but are looking more like long term forwards now. Schoenberg, Berry and Taylor are around the edge of selection and ideally next season will be replaced with Curtin, Edwards and this year's first draft pick but there will need to be new midfielders to take their places on the list and to be developing in the SANFL.

5. Key Defender. This is an interesting one because they have 4 key defenders who are all good enough to be playing regular AFL football in Keane, Butts, Murray and Borlase. None of those are stars though, so despite the depth being strong, it's not an area of strength within the best 22. Curtin could be that star down the track but it appears that plan A is to develop him as a midfielder. This is not something that needs to be adressed urgently but would be nice at some point. Worrall looks very good as a third tall.

6. Key Forward. Adelaide are in an enviable position here having Thilthorpe and Fogarty along with the potential of Walker going around again, Welsh or Gollant, who I think could have a decent career as a third fiddle forward. The only reason that I mention this is that Lukosius appears to be a genuine possibility and would compliment Thilthorpe and Fogarty perfectly. Being able to lock in 3 key forwards for the next 6 years would be a very strong position to be in.

7. Small defender/forward. This is not a concern at either end of the ground regarding quality or depth. Milera and Ryan back and Pedlar forward should come into the 22 next year which will strengthen it further. A developing small forward would be welcome but not a high priority.

1, 2, 3 and 6 could all be addressed by Cumming, Lukosius and Adelaide's current draft hand. That should result in an improvement and would be a very successful off-season. It would mean that next years draft hand suffers though, which probably makes the midfield depth issue worse going forward. Obviously, that is all not necessary going to happen but I think some of Adelaide's issues can't be solved at the draft alone. So they will need to bring in some players via trade or free agency in order to improve.

 

[dogs105]

South Adelaide Panthers churning them out!

JHF and now Draper.

Matt Roberts

 

[kirky]

what about pick 4?

Oh they won’t play first game, got to earn your stripes in the Rerserves.

 

[kirky]

Agree. Interesting when you look at this defence how Laird is going to fit into our team going forward given we’ve moved him from middle.

We really should have looked to trade him if he was open to it. There would be some takers for sure.

The writing is on the wall for Laird - he won’t be in the midfield. He may have a contract until 2026 but in that year, 2026, he will have to earn his spot. Next year he might have a bit more latitude but he is on notice.

 

[kirky]

If Laird was open to a move and here is where nicks actually could show a real coaches touch by hinting gametime will be limited due to the additions the the more recent new mids, laird could then be nudged to look to explore his options. It would be great to get the free list spot and even if we had to pick up part of his contract and only got an f2 back from a club, its the sort of move that benefits the longer term and Laird might get some extra years and money in the process.

You are asking Laird to be a team player - you have watched him on the field haven’t you? Calling for the ball 15m away and getting his give and go moves.

 

[Coopers]

Joined 2021. You quote having known my posting since Trigg time.

I remember I was anti Trigg while you were supportive back then.


I will now stalk you across the board for the next 10 years and respond to every one of your posts and point that out, because that's what reasonable, objective posting looks like.

Also I'll comment on generally low quality of the discourse on here, as compared to "back then".

 

[Crow till I die]

You are asking Laird to be a team player - you have watched him on the field haven’t you? Calling for the ball 15m away and getting his give and go moves.

No, what I am asking is for Nicks to make it known that Laird will have little game time moving forward but we would not stand in his way if he tested the market to see if he can get better opportunity at another club. If he still wants to stay and play ressies mainly, fair enough.

 

[crow2crow]

No, what I am asking is for Nicks to make it known that Laird will have little game time moving forward but we would not stand in his way if he tested the market to see if he can get better opportunity at another club. If he still wants to stay and play ressies mainly, fair enough.

Well there were only three below us so theres not many options
WC would be his only bet but why would he move

 

[Golumless]

2023 he had 34 frees against.
2024 he had 26 frees against--average 1.1 per game.
Yeah, that cliff's coming quick.
Gets far more frees than he gives away.
Sorry this doesn't support your agenda.

On SM-A115F using BigFooty.com mobile app

Indeed, especially if you go back into 2021--2023 where Lairdy was giving away 1.4--1.6 free kicks against per game.

Laird needs to give away more of them to get back to top form and is not being stupid enough to play up to his talent level.

 

[jenny61_99]

Matt Roberts

Also a young lad at Collingwood - McCreery?

 

[Cromulant]

Matt Roberts

Good Langhorne Creek boy

 

[Dangarman]

Oh they won’t play first game, got to earn your stripes in the Rerserves.

Can I remind you that Max Michalanney has played 45 out of a possible 46 games since he was drafted?

 

[Cromulant]

Can I remind you that Max Michalanney has played 45 out of a possible 46 games since he was drafted?

Rachele played plenty of AFL in his first year, RT did too.

Curtin we were trying to work out where to play him.

 

[Crow till I die]

Rachele played plenty of AFL in his first year, RT did too.

Curtin we were trying to work out where to play him.

I have my fingers crossed they are including him with the midfield group this offseason

 

[DJ75]

Matt Roberts

He’s a very interesting case.
I’m very hopeful we are keeping in contact and can bring him back. Elite kicks are worth a lot in this game. I rate him highly.

But I also suspect that if we drafted him, he wouldn’t be playing right now. Not in the role he currently is. I mean, in reality, who would he start over (who would coaches pick) in our current back 6?

 

[cmndstab]

Curtin we were trying to work out where to play him.

Yes, it took us all season long to figure out whether we wanted him in the SANFL or in the sub vest.

 

[Cromulant]

Yes, it took us all season long to figure out whether we wanted him in the SANFL or in the sub vest.

That aside, it was always a concern of mine with him. Kid is unbelievably talented in so money areas of the ground.

Looks like weve settled him mid/fwd

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

The writing is on the wall for Laird - he won’t be in the midfield. He may have a contract until 2026 but in that year, 2026, he will have to earn his spot. Next year he might have a bit more latitude but he is on notice.

Only problem is he is the coaches pet, along with Murphy...