Adelaide recruit Isaac Cumming says beginning life as a Crow alongside his childhood idol is surreal, revealing the profound impact Taylor Walker has had on his career.

The bond between the pair dates back to Cumming’s junior days, with both players hailing from Broken Hill in country New South Wales.

Cumming said the Crows’ all-time leading goalkicker had guided him as he climbed the junior ranks, inviting him out to training sessions when he would return home in the off-season, and offering valuable advice with what it took to become an AFL player.

Now, eight years into his AFL career, Cumming finally has the opportunity to call his idol a teammate.

“It is pretty surreal to be out there training with Tex, being a Broken Hill boy, he was somebody I idolised growing up, so to be with him at the Crows now it is a bit of pinch yourself type stuff,” Cumming told AFC Media.

“Our relationship began shortly after he was drafted by the Crows, and he would come back to Broken Hill in the off-season and invite me and a few other local kids out to run with him in the off-season.

“For a young kid who dreamed of playing AFL, that was just huge for me, he taught me so much about what it takes to get to the elite level and I’ve loved following his career from afar. 

“It’s funny now how things have worked out, being teammates, and I’m sure that the first game we get to play together will be incredibly special.”

Cumming joined the Crows from Greater Western Sydney as a free agent during the 2024 Trade Period.

The running defender was selected by the Giants with Pick No.20 in the 2016 National Draft and has played 81 games across eight seasons.

He said the move to Adelaide and integration into the Club had been seamless. 

“The first week and a half has been unreal, the boys came back really fit so training has been a very high quality, and the boys along with the coaches and staff have all been very welcoming, so it has been a fantastic start,” Cumming said.

“I spent a lot of time here (in Adelaide) growing up, being from Broken Hill it is only just down the road, so I’ve got a brother and sister that live here and I also met my fiance here so we’ve got a lot of family around us which is nice.

“It is obviously pretty nerve wracking at the start, coming into a new Club, with new teammates, a new game plan and just new everything to be honest. 

“But the way I have been welcomed into the Club has been incredible, and it has made everything associated with starting in a new team so much easier.” 

Looking ahead to his first pre-season at West Lakes, Cumming had two main focuses - to remain fit and grow as a leader.

“The main (goal) for me is to just stay fit and healthy, I struggled a bit with the body this year, but I’m feeling great now and just keen to continue that on,” Cumming said. 

“If I can get through this pre-season without any hiccups that would put me in great stead to go out and play every game next year, which is the ultimate goal.

“Another big reason as to why I came here was to challenge myself as a person and as a leader, especially because I am coming into a younger group.

“I’ve been in the system for a while now, so I feel I can have influence on the guys around me, and take my leadership to another level.”