The Adelaide Crows say they understand club champion Bernie Vince’s decision to join AFL rivals Melbourne on the security of a long-term contract.
The Crows on Friday traded Vince to the Demons for pick No.23 at next month’s national draft.
The 28-year-old midfielder’s contract with Adelaide expired at the end of next year.
But the Crows were not yet willing to offer their 2009 club champion a contract extension, and Vince instead secured a three-year deal with Melbourne.
“We didn’t want to lose him but I understand his decision to seek some long-term security,” Crows coach Brenton Sanderson said in a statement.
Melbourne gave up pick 23, their compensation draft selection received for the move of free agent Colin Sylvia to Fremantle.
Adelaide’s disappointment at losing Vince was tempered by the looming arrival of ex-Geelong premiership player James Podsiadly.
The 32-year-old, who was delisted by Geelong at season’s end, has agreed to a two-year contract with the Crows.
“From a physical and mental point of view, I’m in great shape and very motivated to continue my improvement in the AFL,” Podsiadly said in a statement on Friday.
Podsiadly was lured to the Crows by Sanderson, who was a mentor to the 83-gamer when an assistant coach at Geelong, a stint which ended in 2012 when he won Adelaide’s top job.
Adelaide’s list manager David Noble was thrilled to secure Podsiadly.
“James has plenty of good footy left in him,” Noble said in a statement.
“He’s an experienced, premiership player from a highly successful football environment.”