Ty Vickery and Richmond to start contract talks soon
RICHMOND is finally ready to offer free agent Ty Vickery a new contract as it begins the task of signing half its list.
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RICHMOND is finally ready to offer free agent Ty Vickery a new contract as it begins the task of signing half its list.
This week first-round picks Nick Vlaustin and Corey Ellis both agreed to multi-year agreements as the Tigers form begins to turn.
Vickery’s stalemate had given rise to speculation the Tigers could be planning to off-load some senior players in the hunt for a big fish.
But he has been informed a contract offer to him will soon be tabled after 17 goals in the first 10 games before Friday night’s contest.
A lethal finisher, Vickery continues to frustrate given his undoubted potential but has been in demand in recent trade periods.
If the Tigers lost him as a free agent they would likely receive only mediocre compensation given the tough constraints.
Clubs are aware to secure a first-round compensation pick their player will need to be offered $600,000 or more by a rival.
The Tigers have locked away most of their stars but much of the middle tier remains out of contract.
Fellow forwards Sam Lloyd and Ben Griffiths are also out of contract, while Reece Conca’s injury woes mean he is yet to strike a new deal.
The Tigers also have ruckman Shaun Hampson out of contract after he finally emerged as a lead ruckman this year.
Richmond has the salary cap space and inclination to go after a big fish in the midfield, with Gold Coast’s Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia out of contract.
Senior coach Damien Hardwick said late last month the Tigers list was the best he had assembled in his time at the club.
“We feel in the footy club now as good a list as I think we’ve had at my disposal since I’ve been there,’’ he said.
“Some of those players we’re yet to see, some you’ve seen a little bit of and they’re going to be incredible players going forward.”
“We’ve brought some wonderful talent onto our list. Shaun Grigg has been an absolute star, Bachar Houli, Ivan Maric, these type of players have come in and been fantastic servants.
“We are starting to see Shaun Hampson be the player we thought he would. We’ve also added some talent through the draft that’s been incredible.”
Meanwhile, Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts is resisting Collingwood’s overtures on a new contract until his position becomes clearer.
The Pies are keen to lock away their 209cm ruckman but after only a single game this year he is happy to wait on a new deal.
Witts played Round 1 but has been overlooked for Brodie Grundy and Mason Cox, with a split finger webbing also sidelining him for a month.
Most clubs have a lead ruckman but many are looking for handy backup reinforcements, with Witts keen to play regular AFL football.
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