Outgoing Adelaide veterans Daniel Talia and Tom Lynch have spoken publicly for the first time since being informed that their services were no longer required in the city of churches.
The pair had combined for a total of 357-games for the Crows but were both told by head coach Matthew Nicks that they would need to seek opportunities elsewhere beyond the end of this season.
Although unable to add to his 200-game tally for Adelaide this season, Daniel Talia took toย SENย air waves to spruik his playing wares.
When quizzed about whether he still had anything to offer suitors from next season onwards, the 29-year-old emphatically stated that there was fuel left in his tank.
"I do," Talia began.
"That's the disappointing part for me. They [opposition clubs] have probably been thinking that I've been injured all year and that they might not want to take the risk. But I feel that I've got another two, three, maybe even four-years left in me.
"I've hardly been injured up until this year."
Adelaide has moved him on.
Daniel Talia however believes he has 2-4 years of footy left in him. pic.twitter.com/vFNvMiW9hq
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) August 17, 2021
The Calder Cannons product continued by saying that although his current circumstances were not ideal, he had accepted the Crows' decision to cull him.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed. I'm not going to hide that fact," Talia resumed.
"I've given everything to that club for 12-years and I suppose now it's time to move on."
Like any elite athlete, Talia stressed that he felt annoyed that his body had denied him both the ability to get on the park this season and the chance to suit up one last time for the club that he has called him since the end of 2009.
"It is tough not to be able to go out there," the 2014 Malcolm Blight medalist revealed.
"Even just being able to play one last game. I wish I could have ended differently and played one last game in the tri-colours because I love the club so much and the boys so much.
"The organization has given me so much as well, so that's been disappointing, but it's not to be I suppose."
Despite holding a philosophical stance, Talia was realistic that he and his management had to begin shopping themselves as the season inched towards a close.
"I do have to start looking at what other offers are out there," he stated.
"It's obviously hard to hear that you're not going to be at the club you love next year, but I think for me I've got to take a couple of months and keep training [and] stay fit.
"I'm really determined to be in good nick if a club comes knocking."
Talia also expounded that a move away from his adoptive state would be fine with him so long as his AFL dream could continue.
"I still feel like I've got a number of years left in my body and a number of years at the top level," the defender said.
"There's no doubt I'm going to be pursuing that and looking to play next year."
Even though the two-time All Australian believed he could go again, he did have one eye towards his off-field future if his aspirations were snuffed entirely.
"I've got to explore some opportunities outside of footy as well in case an opportunity doesn't come up."
After receiving the same bleak news as his defensive teammate, key conduit Tom Lynch also described how he came to be separated from Nicks' 2022 plans.
โIt was obviously disappointing and stung a lot when you get told they no longer would like you to play there,โ the 30-year-old told SEN SA Breakfast.
โThat was hard to deal with.
โBut at the same time, I asked for clarity and appreciated them giving me that when I asked.โ
Having been born less than 12-months apart, both Talia and Lynch no longer fit the Crows' youthful list plan - a message that was reportedly relayed to the redhead by the club.
โThere wasnโt too much detail,โ Lynch said.
โIt was just around the fact that there wasnโt a spot on the list there next year.
โI think it was more around the direction theyโre heading and the rebuild stage theyโre in and sticking to that plan.
โItโs a bit of a shock when you get told, but thatโs life.โ
Irrespective of the stark similarities held between the pair that were so instrumental in Adelaide making the 2017 Grand Final, Lynch expressed a contrary view to Talia in that he hadn't yet turned his attention to what lay ahead of this season.
โI havenโt actually entertained or even thought about playing anywhere else,โ he said.
โBased on the fact that Iโm still playing, it doesnโt feel real just yet.
โWeโll see where that lands and whatโs next.โ
Following a raft of injuries and bouts of illness, Lynch hasn't been able to play more than 17-games in a single season since 2017, however, the Victorian was back to his best during last Sunday's loss to the ladder leading Demons after collecting 29 disposals and slotting a goal.
Adelaide's 2021 season is set to close on Sunday evening when they face North Melbourne at the Adelaide Oval.
