Tigers tackle Tuck deal

[Razorblade]

Tigers tackle Tuck deal
2:44:41 PM Wed 7 September, 2005
Paul Gough
Sportal for afl.com.au

Richmond has opened contract negotiations with Shane Tuck with the man who could end this season as the club's best and fairest winner after almost being cut from the list last year certain to win a much-improved deal.

Tuck played on a one year contract this season on the minimum match payments after he was the last player to win a spot on the club's list in 2005 - narrowly ahead of Tim Fleming.

After playing just three games in his debut season last year - after previously having been rejected by Hawthorn - the son of the AFL's games record holder Michael Tuck produced an extraordinary season and considering his minimum contract probably provided more value for money than any player in the competition this season.

Tuck not only played every game, as he established himself as an elite midfielder, but ended the season as the Tigers' top possession winner - narrowly ahead of the club's only All-Australian representative in 2005 in Joel Bowden.

The 23-year-old is also favourite to win the Jack Dyer Medal as the Tigers' best and fairest this season.

Richmond football manager Paul Armstrong told Sportal the Tigers were in the process of agreeing to a new deal with Tuck to ensure the much-improved midfielder remained with the club long-term.

"He was just on a standard one year deal this year and obviously he is line for a much better contract," Armstrong said of Tuck, who averaged 23 disposals per game in 2005.

"The main thing (to be negotiated) is the length of the deal but we don't see any problems."

"He had a good year this year and we hope it continues next year."

The Tigers' players are currently on their end of season trip in Cairns but all will be back for next week's Jack Dyer Medal count.

Armstrong said several players had undergone post-season surgery with All-Australian Bowden having a knee arthroscope as did spearhead Matthew Richardson, who also underwent wrist surgery to repair ligament damage, while Mark Coughlan underwent an ankle operation and Adam Pattison had shoulder surgery with all four players recovering well.

And star forward Nathan Brown is continuing to make good progress in his rehabilitation from the serious broken leg injury he sustained in round 10.

"We expect him to be back into full training by early December," Armstrong said of Brown.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=227678



Good to hear!

Cogs had a dodgy ankle, maybe that was also partly responsible for his below normal play towards the end of the season.

[mightytiges]

the Tigers were in the process of agreeing to a new deal with Tuck to ensure the much-improved midfielder remained with the club long-term.

"The main thing (to be negotiated) is the length of the deal but we don't see any problems."

"He had a good year this year and we hope it continues next year."

Tucky will probably get a 3 year deal you'd think as he was outstanding even though it's only been one year. 

Good to hear Browny is progressing well.

[mightytiges]

And star forward Nathan Brown is continuing to make good progress in his rehabilitation from the serious broken leg injury he sustained in round 10.

"We expect him to be back into full training by early December," Armstrong said of Brown.

The news on the grapevine   is that Browny is a couple weeks ahead in his rehabillitation of where Voss was at the same stage after breaking his leg

[mightytiges]

As reported in the Hun today, is a 3 year deal for Tucky fair enough for both him and the club? On one side he's only had one top year but on he other he was our best player this year by a mile and nothing suggests he won't continue that form on for the rest of his career. He seemed to handle taggers well.