GWS utility Cumming shuns Port, set to join Crows
Steve Larkin |
Greater Western Sydney’s Isaac Cumming is set to join Adelaide, with Port Adelaide conceding defeat in the race for the utility.
Cumming, an unrestricted free agent, had told GWS he wanted a trade to South Australia.
After a bidding war between Adelaide and the Power, Cumming on Thursday nominated the Crows as his destination.
Cumming’s decision came as Port’s football manager Chris Davies said his club wasn’t at the “front of the queue” to secure the Giants’ Harry Perryman, who is also being courted by Collingwood.
The Power will work with Gold Coast to clinch a deal for Jack Lukosius, who has been told by the Suns to explore his trade options.
“Jack has said to us that he wants to get to Port Adelaide,” Davies told reporters.
“And our challenge now is to work with the Gold Coast in order to make that potentially happen.
“We haven’t engaged overly much with the Gold Coast as to what they might want but there’s still a week and a half to go before the trade period and we will get a better sense of that over that point in time.
“But we are ultimately pleased that Jack wants to land here, he’s a good player who we’ve obviously been tracking for a decent period of time.”
Port’s dual All Australian defender Dan Houston wants to shift to a Victorian club despite being contracted until the end of the 2028 season.
Davies refused to be drawn on Houston’s worth as a batch of Melbourne clubs headed by Carlton, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs circle the 27-year-old.
“I know the narrative is around two first-round picks and that type of thing,” Davies said.
“We just wait during the trade period to see ultimately what we get offered.
“Dan has made it clear to us that his preference is to be in Victoria. He has also said that if that can’t work in a fair manner that he’s happy to stay.
“So we’ll just have to wait and see how that transpires.”
Port were prepared to trade ruckman Ivan Soldo – who joined the club this year from Richmond – with St Kilda his likely destination.
But Davies said 22-year-old forward Ollie Lord was a required player at Port amid interest from clubs including Collingwood and Melbourne.
“There was nothing in Ollie Lord’s exit interview which would suggest that he’s looking at playing his footy elsewhere next year,” Davies said.
Port were keen to lure Collingwood forward Joe Richards.
“He’s a player that fits … a need for us, we’d like to add some depth in that front half, the small forward type crew,” Davies said.
AAP