By Peter Argent
Now in his fifth season at AFL level, North Broken Hill export Isaac Cumming has committed to the Greater Western Sydney Giants for a further two years.
Pick number 20 back in the 2016 AFL Draft, the running defender has gone from strength to strength since the start of the 2021 campaign, becoming a pivotal component in the Giants backline.
A GWS Academy graduate, Cumming has played 38 games since debuting in 2018, including all 24 last season, finishing equal-sixth in the 2021 Kevin Sheedy Medal (best and fairest) count.
Cumming spoke about his early mentors in Broken Hill, including Dale Tonkin and the motivation he gained in his early teens, seeing fellow Bulldog Taylor “Tex” Walker being drafted to the Adelaide Crows.
“I always been a big goal setter, looking for strong and clear targets, ever since my days at Broken Hill,” Cummins said.
“The big question marks in the first couple of years was about my fitness and work rate to play at the top level.
“Last year my backline coach Adam Schneider displayed a lot of confidence in my ability and the support I received from fellow defenders Lachie Whitfield and Nick Haines was outstanding.
“Having that stability, I’m comfortable in the knowledge that I know where I’m at for the next three seasons.”
Cumming one of handful siblings from the Silver City, including older brothers Harry and Jacob and sister Eliza, played two games in his debut AFL season, 2018, debuting against West Coast Eagles in round eight, after spending 2017 playing in the NEAFL.
There were a further five games in 2019 and three in the Covid hit 2020 season.
Last year he averaged nearly 22 disposals per game across the 24 appearances and this season that has increased to 23 across the opening month of the campaign.
His coach Leon Cameron explained that Cumming now has a first-class work rate and is an elite player in this area.
“Isaac is well connected with his age demographic at the club, having a strong friendship base with players at all levels of the club,” Cameron continued.
“He can become a 200-game, 12 to 15-year player at our club.”
Well-liked by all the players and staff at the Giants Cumming is destined to be a long time servant at GWS.
“I’m really excited to have extended my contract,” Cumming continued at his mid-week press conference.
“Since the day I walked in here I’ve absolutely loved it, and after a few years I think I’ve really started to find my feet as a player and as a person.
“The contract was something that I knew was coming at the end of the year, and to put it simply I’m very happy where I am at the moment, so it was a no brainer for me to get the deal done now.
“I’m absolutely in love with the place and the people, and couldn’t be happier to be calling the Giants home for another two years.”
General Manager of Football at the GWS Giants Jason McCartney explained they were really excited to be able to lock down this talented young player for another two years.
“Isaac is a home-grown talent and an important part of our side and it’s been great to see his journey over the past few years,” he said.
“He’s already had a really strong start to 2022 after taking on a bigger role for us last season, and we’re really looking forward to seeing what else he can produce in the future.”
The Giants has a huge round five clash with reigning premiers Melbourne tonight (Saturday, April 16) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground started at 6.55pm (ACST)
