IT took an extra week, but the 100th AFL game by former North Broken Hill junior Isaac Cumming couldn’t have played out any better.
Expecting just to become the fourth Silver City export to play 100th VFL/AFL games, Isaac “Cheese” Cumming was originally going to reach the milestone in the round 20 clash, the “Showdown Number LVIII (#58)” against Port Adelaide on Saturday, July 26.
But as he had a slight lower leg issue, the cautious medical staff at West Lakes led high performance manager Darren Burgess to give the Crows #44 a week on the sidelines.
He returned to the team for the blockbuster “Friday Night Lights” contest with fellow finals contender, Hawthorn on August 1.
It proved to be a great night for Cumming and the Adelaide Football Club, with the Crows having an inspiring 14-point triumph over Hawthorn that propelled them to the top of the ladder; Cumming was a strong contributor with 15 disposals, playing 82 per cent of game time.
He also took three marks, laid a tackle and won a clearance in his landmark appearance, along with being credited with 214 metres gained.
The round 21 fixture was Cummings’ 19th game in the Crows’ red, blue and gold this winter, after 81 games across eight seasons with the Greater Western Sydney
Cumming cited Adelaide teammate Taylor “Tex” Walker as the major reason for his move to the city of churches.
“He’s been massive, that sort of mentorship slash idolism stems back a long, long way,” Cumming said of Walker, who is just a small handful of games away from his big AFL 300-game milestone.
The pair hail from the North Broken Hill Football Club and are looking to become the third and fourth AFL/VFL premiership players from the unique township and the first in Bulldogs history.
Walker himself had some choice words for Cumming.
“All the three recruits that have come into the program, ‘Cheese’, Alex (Neal-Bullen) and James (Peatling) have brought into the club ethos and made it a better place,” he told the Broken Hill Times.
“They have added to our culture; each are A grade humans and A grade footballers.
“‘Cheese’ comes from the amazing and supportive family. He’s one of four siblings, with two older brothers Jacob and Harrison and a younger sister, Eliza.
“‘Cheese’ is already much loved across the entire playing group at West Lakes.
“I was always confident that Isaac would thrive and learn a lot about his body in the Crows environment.
“We have one of the best strength and conditioning coaches in the business.
“Josh Manuel and Darren Burgess are elite in this important area.”
With three rounds remaining, the Adelaide Crows are in the prime position to finish in the top two and be set for a couple of home finals.
This weekend they play the bottom placed West Coast Eagles in Perth in the Sunday evening timeslot, before a big match against Collingwood at Adelaide Oval, on Saturday evening, August 16.
The Crows’ final regular season game is at Marvel Stadium against the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
Cumming, along with the arrival of fellow recruits Neal-Bullen and Peatling have been key ingredients in the Adelaide Football Clubs rise to the top of the ladder.
In equally exciting news Isaac Cumming and his fiancée Mia Young announced via social media they are going to be parents of a baby girl early next year.
For the record Taylor Walker has now played 297 AFL games, followed by Dean Solomon with 209 and Brent Staker with 160.
Cumming has now moved past Bob Troughton to outright fourth spot, after his 100th AFL appearance.
