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Cerra had spent four seasons with the Dockers but the fall-out from pandemic restrictions and border closures increased his desire to return home,prompting his manager Robbie D’Orazio of Connors Sports to work the phones.

However,what put Cerra at ease was a chat with Cripps,the Blues’ captain desperate for success,having played eight seasons without making the finals. Cripps has been at home in Perth through the off-season and was more than happy to meet with a man who will take pressure off him and fellow star Sam Walsh in the midfield.

“I wouldn’t say it was a sales pitch. I was picking his[Cripps’] brain on,obviously,a lot about the playing group. Obviously,he is a popular character in there,he is their skipper. I was amazed at his balance of being a mate with the boys but also that leader in that formal role at the club,” Cerra said.

“He had nothing but good things to say about the club. They are a very tight group. He was really excited about all the changes the club[has made]. He made me really want to be a part of that. It probably eased my decision a lot. He has been a massive support for me over the last few weeks.”

Cerra,who said it was a “surreal” feeling to be a Blue,had also had a couple of chats withnew Blues coach Michael Voss. He had also spoken with the Demons.

The No.5 pick in the 2017 national draft,Cerra,an Eastern Ranges’ product,averaged 23 disposals per game with the Dockers this season,finishing fifth in the best and fairest. He finished third in 2020. He and Andrew Brayshaw had emerged as the young heartbeat of the Dockers’ midfield. They are also great mates,with Cerra currently staying with Brayshaw.

Cerra said he was looking forward to reuniting with Blues Paddy Dow,Tom De Koning and Lochie O’Brien,whom he had played against before all were taken in the ’17 national draft.

Blues list manager Nick Austin said Cerra was an important acquisition.

“We’ve had the clear intention this off-season to improve our midfield group and with Adam,we’re welcoming a real classy on-baller whose best football is still to come,” Austin said.

“He’s rarely missed a game at senior level since stepping into the AFL environment as an 18-year-old. He knows where to run to get the footy and when he gets it,good things happen.

“We were really keen to bring him to our football club for everything he brings to the table. He sees the game really well,he’s a student of the game and he has a real drive within himself to continue to get better.”

Late on Thursday afternoon the Blues announced a pair of further list changes,with Michael Gibbons and Sam Ramsay both delisted. Gibbons played 47 games over three seasons at the Blues,including playing 11 in 2021. Ramsay didn’t make his senior debut after being picked in the third round of the 2019 draft.

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