By Jake Niall
The Age
December 3, 2004
As a result of the settlement with Richmond, Zantuck will be available in the pre-season draft on the base minimum, plus match payments - more than $100,000 cheaper than his now-voided 2005 playing contract.
Richmond football director Greg Miller said Zantuck and the club had agreed yesterday morning to "release each other from their obligations under the contract", enabling the Tigers to delist Zantuck before today's final lodgement of lists.
Zantuck had asked for a trade at season's end, his position made untenable at Punt Road when it emerged that he had a poor relationship with senior players, while coach Terry Wallace was also keen to see him go.
Port coach Mark Williams yesterday confirmed that the club would consider drafting either Zantuck or Blumfield, although the premiers would consider taking the best available youngster in this month's pre-season draft.
"He's certainly someone we'll be looking at," Williams said of Zantuck, who parted company with Richmond yesterday after reaching a financial settlement with the club. Zantuck was contracted for 2005 on a deal that would have resulted in him receiving about $250,000 if he played all games.
Essendon, which failed to trade for Zantuck before the trading deadline, appears to be the other club that is the trouble-prone defender's best hope of continuing his AFL career, his chances boosted by the drop in his price tag. Essendon has a pick before Port Adelaide.
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