Less than a fortnight after the 2023 AFL Grand Final, the Magpies’ vice-captain has become a Swan.
Less than a fortnight after Collingwood toasted its 16th V/AFL premiership, Pies vice-captain Taylor Adams has departed the club, officially joining Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.
After failing to feature on the last Saturday in September, Adams alerted Pies powerbrokers to his desire to be traded to the Harbour City, with the club releasing a statement ahead of Monday’s opening trade bell.
The deal to bring Adams to Moore Park was reportedly made mere minutes after Sydney secured Melbourne ruckman, and Adams’ ex-teammate, Brodie Grundy in a seperate trade
Both the Adams and Grundy deals were first reported by Michael Gleeson of The Age.
As reported by Gleeson’s masthead, Collingwood has received pick 33 at this year’s draft in return for the 30-year-old midfielder’s services.
Having played for the GWS Giants in 2012 and 2013, Adams, while a Mount Duneed native, will be familiar with life in the Harbour City.
However, after returning south ahead of his third AFL season, Adams made Collingwood his home, turning out in 175 appearanes for the Pies, claiming best and fairest honours in 2020 and a podium finish in 2017.
Adams was bid farewell by Magpies GM Graham Wright in an official club statement.
“Over the past decade Taylor has been an instrumental part of our Club’s success, and we thank him for his contribution to our football program,” Wright said.
“Taylor has been an outstanding leader during his time with Collingwood and the professionalism and support he has shown to his teammates despite facing his own injury challenges should be commended.
“We understand Taylor’s aspiration to seek opportunity at another club that will provide him with more opportunity.
“We wish Taylor and his family all the best with his next venture at the Sydney Swans.”
The move to sign the Geelong Falcons product is Sydney’s third trade of the third day of the exchange period, with the Swans having sent former top-10 draftee Dylan Stephens to North Melbourne earlier on Wednesday.
In addition to Stephens, Kinnear Beatson and the Sydney list management team parted with pick 25 at this year’s draft to obtain the Kangaroos’ end of first-round selection at the 2024 AFL draft, as well as pick 44 for this year’s count.
