In 2009, Adam had another great season, playing 23 games, kicking 14 goals and averaging 26.8 disposals, although he only managed to poll 3 Brownlow Medal Votes.

He also featured in the official advertisement for the AFL, brushing off tacklers including a bull in a bullfighting ring.

The 2015 season was Cooney's first in the red and black, he only managed 11 games and kicked 10 goals, including 3 on debut against the Sydney Swans in Round 1.

The Essendon Supplements Saga ordeal allowed Adam more of an opportunity to play regular senior football during the 2016 season.

In August 2016, Cooney announced he would retire after the round 22 match against Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

In the advertisement, Cooney receives the ball in a bullring from a Leon Davis tap, and after evading attempted tackles from James McDonald, Nathan Bock and Daniel Merrett, as well as a raging bull and rally cars, he kicks the ball to Gary Ablett Jr.[6] From 2 April 2023, Cooney appeared as a contestant in the ninth season of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.