Cumming ready to 'compete' with the eliteRichmond draftee, Sam Cumming, is poised to hit the ground running as he starts his career at the Swinburne Centre.
By Henry Milic
Richmond Media
Nov 20, 2025A night where dreams were realised.
For Richmond draftee Sam Cumming, a lifelong ambition of becoming a professional footballer finally came true, when the Club selected him with the seventh pick of the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft on Wednesday night.
Fresh off his high school graduation, Cumming was in complete elation when AFL CEO Andrew Dillon read out his name.
“It was a genuine surprise. I knew Cal Twomey was pretty good on the predictor, so I had a bit of an idea, and that late flight to Mildura to visit gave a little bit of an indication,” Cumming told SEN moments after he was drafted.
“But they didn’t give anything away until the cameras came up five seconds before.
“Even when they came up on Friday, they (Richmond) sold the dream of that you play on the MCG on a Friday night, then you walk back to Punt Road for a function after, so yeah, I’m super excited to get stuck into it.”
The bull at a gate midfielder/forward expressed his excitement to join the next crop of Tigers and is confident that his competitive nature will contribute to the side’s success.
“I’m just a real competitor. I don’t really like to lose very much,” Cumming said.
“(I bring) that real tough edge, and I like to go out in every game with the mindset of just having a crack.
“I’m definitely excited to get stuck into training with all those boys, and I think we can build a really good culture and take that a long way.
“They have a great young group coming through, and I think Sam (Grlj) and I can add to that, and hopefully it doesn’t take too long to get back up to the top.”
Originally hailing from Wentworth, New South Wales, Cumming moved to South Australia for boarding school, where he played in the SANFL competition with North Adelaide.
His strong form with South Australia's State team put him on the map, averaging 17 disposals, and he played a major role in its National Championship winning side.
Furthermore, Cumming enjoyed a dominant season with North Adelaide, highlighted by a standout Round 13 performance where he collected 21 disposals and booted three goals.
The 18-year-old thanked his former club for giving him the opportunity to grow his game throughout his junior career.
“They were massive, whether it was through 16s or 18s, and even in the league, just to give me a chance," Cumming said.
“They provided me with every opportunity to be one of the best players, so I’m really grateful for North Adelaide.”
Cumming will join Richmond’s playing group on Monday for the start of pre-season camp in Yarrawonga and the surrounding areas.
https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1932440/cumming-ready-to-compete-with-the-elite
