Tigers defend Simmonds deal
10 October 2004 Sunday Herald Sun
RICHMOND director of football Greg Miller has defended the decision to award Troy Simmonds a five-year deal. Long-term contracts have been considered taboo after several clubs found these deals hamstrung their leverage to move under the salary cap. But the Tigers, desperate to cover the loss of Brad Ottens, were able to nab Simmonds from Fremantle with the lure of security.
"The deal we put to him wasn't a great deal of money. But he was looking for that security," Miller said.
Miller said Carlton, St Kilda and the Kangaroos had chased Simmonds, who is expected to earn about $200,000 a year with the Tigers.
By travelling west to meet him, Miller said the Tigers showed how important he was to their rebuilding program under new coach Terry Wallace.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,11030690%255E19742,00.html