Metre-eater Paul Seedsman denies homesickness and says he hopes to re-sign with Adelaide
ADELAIDE’S leading metre-eater Paul Seedsman has dismissed speculation that he wants to return to Melbourne and declared that he hopes to sign a new long-term contract with the Crows.
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ADELAIDE’S leading metre-eater Paul Seedsman has dismissed speculation that he wants to return to Melbourne and declared that he hopes to sign a new long-term contract with the Crows.
Long-kicking wingman Seedsman, who leads Adelaide in average metres gained this year with 499, is the club’s highest-profile player left falling out of contract on October 31.
He started contract negotiations in May but three months later has yet to put pen to paper, adding fuel to suggestions he wants to return to Melbourne and could be used as trade bait in packages the Crows could use to move up the draft order.
Adelaide, which is currently armed with three picks in the top 19, would love to put itself in a position to secure one of its two prime South Australian draft targets — Eagles key forward Jack Lukosius or West Adelaide small forward/midfielder Izak Rankine — who are expected to go inside the top five.
After returning from two matches out with a strained hamstring in the nine-point win against North Melbourne on Sunday, Seedsman — recruited from Collingwood at the end of 2015 — told The Advertiser he is not homesick and wants to remain a Crow.
“Absolutely I want to stay here, I love it here,’’ he said.
“My priority is to stay here. My girlfriend (Alice) moved with me here (from Melbourne) and it’s been a great move for both of us.’’
Seedsman, who has enjoyed his best AFL season at age 26, indicated the hold up in a new deal is the length of contract.
It is understood he wants a four-year deal but has been offered only three by Adelaide.
Other clubs are monitoring the situation closely.
“We are just working through it,’’ Seedsman said.
“There is no rush, both parties are talking and I’m looking to get it done, that’s about all I can say.
“There’s just a few intricacies of the contract. Once we nut those out then it will be all good.
“Whether it happens next week or the week after or sometime in September, I’m not sure, but we’ll keep working through it and hopefully we get there.’’
Seedsman joined the Crows from the Magpies in 2015 after 49 games in four seasons on a three-year contract worth about $330,000 a season.
He played just 20 games in his first two years at Adelaide because of groin injuries but has enjoyed a breakthrough 2018 campaign, playing 18 matches and averaging 21 disposals and kicking 12 goals.
“It’s been my best year,’’ he said.
“I’ve had a couple of injuries which have cost me three weeks but consistency-wise it’s been by far my best year and I’m looking forward to continuing that here next year.’’
Seedsman ranks seventh in the AFL for metres gained — 40 behind leader Jayden Short from Richmond.
His 499 average is a whopping 79 more than the next-ranked Crow, Bryce Gibbs, illustrating his value to the side.
Adelaide has slumped from grand finalist to missing the finals this year but Seedsman is confident it can bounce back hard next season.
“Absolutely we can,’’ he said.
“Everything that could have gone wrong for us has gone wrong this year but we’ll learn a lot from it. We’ve got the list, the talent and the work ethic to be right back up there next year.’’
andrew.capel@news.com.au
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