Sydney Swans veteran Harry Cunningham is joining Adelaide, but not via a conventional trade — the Swans will delist him so the Crows can select him in the AFL rookie draft on 23 November.
The Sydney Swans confirmed the arrangement in an official club statement on Friday 9 October, thanking Cunningham for 15 years and 233 games in the red and white. 7NEWS’ Tom Morris reported the clubs had agreed the rare pathway, with Adelaide set to pick him up in the rookie draft rather than through the trade period.
Sydney Head of List Strategy and Player Personnel Chris Keane said the club had an offer on the table, but respected Cunningham’s decision to continue at the Crows on a longer contract and for family reasons.
“As per Harry’s wishes, we will delist him so he can join the Crows through the rookie draft in November,” Keane said in the Swans’ statement. “He will always be a much-loved person and life member at the Sydney Swans.”
Cunningham’s farewell
“I’m incredibly grateful to the Swans for giving me the opportunity to live out my dream. Coming to the club as a 17-year-old from Wagga, I never imagined I’d still be here 15 years later,” Cunningham said.
“I’m incredibly proud to have been part of the Swans for 15 years. The club will always hold a special place in my heart and be a part of my family. I’m really excited about the next chapter of my footy career with Adelaide and looking forward to getting to work.”
Originally taken with pick No.93 in the 2011 rookie draft, Cunningham forged a career as a defensive craftsman and fan favourite at the SCG. The Swans said he saved one of his best games for last at the club, with 20 disposals and 10 marks across half-back in the Qualifying Final win over Brisbane.
7NEWS reported Adelaide football boss Adam Kelly was eager to bring Cunningham in as a player on a two-year deal, with an eye to transitioning into coaching beyond that. A calf injury suffered at training saw him miss Sydney’s preliminary final loss to Fremantle last month.
The AFL rookie draft is scheduled for 3pm on 23 November, 7NEWS noted. Adelaide had not published a separate club announcement at the time of writing.
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