New recruit Paul Seedsman believes the difficult decision to switch clubs over the offseason could reignite his AFL career.
The 24-year-old was traded to Adelaide from Collingwood during October’s exchange period in search of greater opportunity at senior level.
The ANZAC Medallist played 10 of the opening 12 games of the season with Collingwood, averaging 17 possessions and four marks a match. But Seedsman played just two AFL games for the remainder of the year, despite several strong performances at VFL level.
“For me, that showed that they were going one way and I wasn’t in that plan,” Seedsman said on AFL Media’s First Bounce.
“I had some good games in the VFL, but at the same time I still had a few quieter games and was a little bit inconsistent. Those things happen in football clubs.
“Only 22 blokes can get picked each week, so there’s going to be some that miss out. I just happened to be one of those.
“So I thought it’d be the best move for my career to request a trade.”
The decision to move on wasn’t an easy one for the skilful defender/wingman. A lifelong Collingwood fan, Seedsman’s great grandfather was also a past player and long-serving president at the club.
But the new Crow already feels he’s made the right call to follow his head rather than his heart as he prepares for a sixth season in the AFL system.
“The move’s been great, it’s going really well,” he said.
“I love Collingwood and I love all the players down there and I had some really close mates there, and that’s not going to change. At the end of the day, I had to make a business decision and what was best for me.
“I was pretty close with Heath Shaw and Dayne Beams and those two made (similar) decisions.
“Heath…was obviously a massive Collingwood supporter and he just said ‘you’ve got to put the emotion aside and do what’s best for you’, and when a club like Adelaide was there it was a pretty easy decision in the end.
“Adelaide is a great club and a great organisation. I’m rapt with the decision.”
Seedsman appears a perfect fit for Adelaide. His addition, along with fellow speedy recruits including Curtly Hampton, Troy Menzel and Wayne Milera, complements the Club’s proven contested ball-winners in Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson, Richard Douglas, Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Jarryd Lyons and Brad and Matt Crouch.
Seedsman was among six new faces to be named in Adelaide’s 29-man squad for Sunday’s NAB Challenge clash with West Coast at Unley Oval. The final team of 26 will be confirmed on game day.
The 190cm, 80kg recruit expects to use his pace and neat skills in several roles with his new club.
“I think (I’ll play) mainly across the wing to provide that outside balance,” Seedsman said.
“With the rotations you’re going to have to play in a couple of different spots, so I daresay I’ll spend some time across half-back and potentially even across half-forward.
“(Don Pyke’s) been really good so far. It’s early days, it’s only been a pre-season.
“The pressure of playing games hasn’t come around. I haven’t heard Pykey raise his voice too often, but I’m sure that’ll change once the wins and losses count.”
