Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks believes Rory Laird’s decision to sign on for five years helped trigger a wave of contract renewals.

Earlier this month, Laird put pen to paper on a bumper contract extension, ensuring he would remain at the Club until at least 2026.

Soon after, young defensive pair Andrew McPherson and Josh Worrell followed suit - all capped off by Club Champion Reilly O’Brien. 

“It started a month or so ago, we got high profile guys to lock in and be a part of the future,” Nicks told Triple M’s The Rush Hour, referring to Laird.

“For Lairdy to agree and be part of the future, the way he spoke to our group when he announced he was going to sign for another five…

“I think it triggered the guys to see where we were heading.

“We had Reilly O’Brien follow that up, obviously our Best & Fairest winner last year and a really important (part) through that midfield.”

Exciting forward Shane McAdam joined the mix on Thursday and signed a two-year extension.

“We’re starting to see some momentum off the field, which will transfer on field as we continue to sign guys,” Nicks said.

“It’s a really good sign for us.”

McAdam, who was nominated for Mark of the Year in Round 15 in 2020, said he wants to build on his efforts of his debut season.

“I’ve been loving it here, it’s like a second home,” McAdam told his teammates.

“I’m looking forward to where this Club is going and happy to be on for an extra couple of years.”

Experienced defender Brodie Smith and young midfielder Harry Schoenberg signed three-year and two-year extensions respectively at the beginning of 2021.