Daniel Talia admits he’s “disappointed” by Adelaide’s decision to not offer him a contract for 2022, but also understands the path the club is going down.
The 29-year-old defender was informed by the Crows last week that his contract would not be renewed after failing to play a single game this season.
Talia, a dual All-Australian and best and fairest winner in 2014, had knee surgery in the off-season before undergoing more surgery on a serious foot injury in April.
“It’s obviously been a really disappointing way to end at Adelaide,” Talia told SEN SA’s Kymbo and The Rooch.
“I just feel like I had so much more to give to the club.
“To be injured all year was really tough. I didn’t really get a chance to prove myself and I got the feeling as the year went on that I wasn’t going to be there next year with some of the chats behind the scenes.
“It’s a hard one because I still feel like I could walk in there and easily be in the best 22, but I also at the same time understand the club is going in a different direction.
“As a senior player who’s been there 12 years and you give your heart and soul to the club, it’s really hard to sit here having to think about moving interstate.
“It’s really disappointing to be leaving the club this way, that’s for sure.
“I suppose I’m just a casualty of the circumstances. We’re in a rebuilding phase and I’m not a part of that.
“That sort of cuts deep, but I understand the decision as well.”
The 200-game backman is working his way back to full fitness and is confident his body can hold up to the rigours of AFL football in the coming years.
“And that’s the disappointing part for me,” Talia said.
“They’re probably thinking I’ve been injured all year and they might not want to take the risk.
“I feel like I’ve got another two, three, maybe even four years left in me. I’ve hardly been injured up until this year.
“That’s the really frustrating part. I feel like I’ll be fit in four to six weeks, and I’ll be right to go next year.”
Talia is eligible for unrestricted free agency.