AFL trade news: GWS free agent Isaac Cumming nominates Adelaide Crows as new club

Adelaide has has swooped on Isaac Cumming - but the Power could lose its spot at the front of the queue for another wantaway Giant after a rival has jumped in.

Days after losing out to fierce rivals Port Adelaide over Jack Lukosius, Adelaide has got one back with free agent Isaac Cumming choosing the Crows over the Power.

The 26-year-old GWS defender/wingman had been weighing up four-year contract offers from both South Australian clubs after he announced his intention to leave the Giants and explore free agency.

He visited Adelaide this week to speak to both clubs and has chosen to join the Crows.

In the wake of losing out to Port for Lukosius, despite dangling a more lucrative deal in front of the former No. 2 pick, the Crows upped their offer for Cumming – who has played 81 games for the Giants.

Isaac Cumming in action for the Giants this year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

And with Crow Taylor Walker in 2019. Picture: GWS Giants

Cumming was considering four-year offers from both South Australian clubs before deciding to link up with fellow Broken Hill product Taylor Walker at West Lakes.

Walker, whom Cumming viewed as a mentor, played a key role during the recruiting process.

The former Crows captain hinted earlier this week they would be teammates next season, saying of the rebounding defender “he’ll be a great addition”.

Drafted from the Giants’ academy at pick 20 in 2018, Cumming played 81 games for GWS, but only six this year due to calf and hamstring injuries.

Adelaide will not need to give up any draft picks to recruit the 26-year-old because he is an unrestricted free agent.

Getting Cumming is another off-season coup for the Crows, who are also set to recruit Melbourne premiership player Alex Neal-Bullen during the trade period, likely for pick 25.

They missed out on Lukosius this week when the Gold Coast swingman opted to instead join close friend Connor Rozee at Port Adelaide.

The Power is chasing Harry Perryman. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

The Power’s pursuit of Cumming’s GWS teammate Harry Perryman might also end unsuccessfully as Collingwood swooped in, selling more midfield time.

Port Adelaide football boss Chris Davies said he was “not necessarily sure we’re not at the front of the queue” with Perryman.

“That’s still to play out,” Davies said.

“We’re happy to put ourselves out there and have a crack.

“If we end up at the front of the queue then great.

“Harry’s a good player, but equally if we get a few of our guys back we didn’t have at the end of last season we think we’ve got a group there who can go into 2025 anyway.”

Davies said part of the reason the club chased Cumming was to potentially replace Dan Houston so if Port also did not secure Perryman, it could complicate trade talks with the Power’s wantaway dual All-Australian.

“If we don’t have a dearth of those people (half-backs), it might make it a little bit harder, but it doesn’t mean we aren’t willing to explore it,” he said.

Davies was pleased at Lukosius’s decision and said the club viewed the 24-year-old as a forward.

“There’s a fair bit of water still to go under the bridge to make that deal happen,” he said.

Originally published as AFL trade news: GWS free agent Isaac Cumming nominates Adelaide Crows as new club