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Jack Higgins signs new deal with Tigers, Billy Gowers closing in on new contract with Dogs
WESTERN Bulldogs attacking revelation Billy Gowers will soon join Tigers midfielder Jack Higgins in signing a contract extension in his first year. JON RALPH has the latest on all the contract news around the league.
WESTERN Bulldogs attacking revelation Billy Gowers will soon join Tigers midfielder Jack Higgins in signing a contract extension in his first year.
As forecast by the Herald Sun last week, Higgins has penned a new deal through to 2021 after 11 promising games. Richmond is aware of the potential for him to grow into a Punt Rd cult hero given his refreshingly open nature, but is mindful of not overexposing the goalkicker. DRAFT OUTLOOK: HOW VICS CAN WORK WITH CROWS ROUND 17: WHO ARE THE EXPERTS TIPPING? AFL TEAMS: WHO IS PLAYING THIS WEEK? The No.17 draft pick has already progressed into the midfield, the announcement of his signature coming only a day after Alex Rance’s two-year extension to 2021. Richmond star Jack Riewoldt on Friday lauded 28-year-old Rance’s decision to sign for less than he could receive on the open market. The four-time All Australian is one of the game’s elite, likely to set a record for a full back in winning five consecutive All-Australian jackets. Like Cotchin and Riewoldt when they signed their most recent deals, he has sacrificed to stay at a club that has rewarded him with a premiership. Higgins will be joined in signing his deal by Fremantle’s top-10 selection Adam Cerra, the Dockers midfielder confirming he was keen to sign a two-year extension. Western Bulldogs forward Gowers has been one of the finds of the season, leading the Dogs’ goalkicking tally with 21. Dogs list manager Sam Power on Friday said he was involved in “positive discussions” with Gowers’ manager Paul Connors. That contract would likely be at least two years given his explosive qualities, shown in a brilliant kung-fu style goal in recent weeks. Perfect 9 promo 728x90 The No.9 pick in last year’s rookie draft admits he wasn’t ready when first drafted by Carlton, but is now yet another Blues recruit to thrive elsewhere. Amazingly, he is one of only three Dogs players with double-figure goal tallies, ahead of Marcus Bontempelli (16) and Mitch Wallis (12). Recognised key talls Tom Boyd and Josh Schache have six goals, Jordan Roughead five and Tory Dickson four. Richmond football boss Neil Balme admitted on Friday the Tigers had signed Higgins recently but released it when the hype around him died down. Riewoldt told Fox Footy the signature of Rance was another sign of the club’s encouraging direction. “It shows the commitment from a senior player and a vice-captain of the football club,” he said. “He still thinks the club is going in the right direction and he is going to be here for three years to steer it along. “The club is very proud of him signing on. It gets to the point in your career where you get closer to 30 and you have to take a few sacrifices for the betterment of the football club. AFL betting promo “Alex has been great with that and hopefully we can have a few more (signings) in the new few weeks.” Veterans Shaun Grigg, Bachar Houli and Reece Conca are also out of contract along with a long list of mid-tier players. Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >
Originally published as Jack Higgins signs new deal with Tigers, Billy Gowers closing in on new contract with Dogs