Crows cull continues as Talia cut loose
Adelaide Football Club’s brutal list overhaul has continued with decorated defender Daniel Talia given his marching orders from West Lakes.
Photo: Michael Errey / InDaily
Talia, who has failed to play a game this season as he battled ongoing issues after off-season knee and foot surgery, has been told the club will not offer him a new contract for 2022.
The Crows, currently 17th on the AFL ladder with two rounds remaining, are in full rebuild mode, having earlier this week told 30-year-old forward Tom Lynch his time at the club was up.
Talia, 29, has been the linchpin of Adelaide’s backline for a decade, playing 200 games, winning the 2012 Rising Star gong, the 2014 club champion award and All Australian honours twice.
But his role has been usurped this year by emerging defender Jordon Butts, who was this week one of two Crows named in the AFL’s annual ’22 Under 22’ list.
Former No. 6 draft pick Fischer McAsey is yet to force his way into the senior side this year despite playing most of the SANFL season in a key defensive role, while forward Billy Frampton has been honing his craft in the reserves backline in recent weeks.
In a statement, Talia said he was “disappointed” with the club’s decision, saying: “I feel like I have more years left in me at the top level but I understand the decision and direction the club is going.”
“It has been a privilege to represent this great club for the past 12 years and I have cherished every moment,” he said.
“I am going to take some time to consider what comes next for my young family and I will always be grateful for the opportunity I have had to play for the Crows.”
Coach Matthew Nicks said having coached against Talia before mentoring him since 2020, “there is no doubt he has been one of the best key defenders in the competition over the last decade”.
“We have had open, honest and long-running discussions with Daniel and his management regarding his future, and where that fits in the context of our list rebuild,” Nicks said in a statement.
The Crows are yet to make a call on fellow out-of-contract veteran David Mackay and 26-year-old free agent Matt Crouch, while the future of former captain Taylor Walker remains unclear despite him signing a new one-year deal, as he takes time away from the club after apologising for a racist comment made during a recent SANFL match.
