GWS Giants threaten Trent Cotchin offer as they tell Richmond that Dom Tyson is off limits Michael Warner and Jon Ralph
From: Herald Sun
September 19, 2012 GREATER Western Sydney has threatened to steal Trent Cotchin from Richmond in retaliation for its interest in Giants young gun Dom Tyson.
GWS officials sounded out Cotchin's manager, Anthony McConville, two weeks ago after discovering the Tigers had inquired about luring last year's No.3 draft pick back to Melbourne.
The Giants gave McConville a clear indication of a massive offer they were prepared to make Cotchin, who comes out of contract after next season.Tyson, 19, is believed to be keen on a return to Melbourne after just one year at the club.
He is the only one of the eight GWS Rising Star nominees not yet re-signed by the Giants.
Richmond could wait until he fell out of contract next year, or try to push for a trade immediately under the threat that he could walk out for nothing at the end of next season.
The AFL yesterday confirmed a first-year player could be traded - but only if he and his club consented.
GWS has made it clear it is not willing to trade Tyson.
Gold Coast youngster Josh Caddy was nearly traded to Essendon last year after becoming homesick.
At least one other Victorian club has inquired about Tyson as clubs begin to eye the abundance of talent on the GWS list.
GWS would not comment publicly yesterday, but views this as the first real skirmish in the battle to keep its star-studded list.
It made it known it was cashed up and prepared to go to war with any club that saw its young stars as targets.
GWS says it will use an extra $1 million-plus in its salary cap to poach big-name players.
Tyson's manager, Nick Gieschen, from Elite Sports Properties, said there had not been a decision to leave GWS.
"He is contracted until next year," Gieschen said.
"He's happy enough with GWS ... and no other firm decisions regarding his future have been made."
The club's No.1 draft pick, Jonathan Patton is yet to extend his contract with the club, but is considered extremely happy at the Giants.
Given his knee surgery and a modest year,he is more likely to commit after he strings together some games next season.
Richmond has already been linked to Port Adelaide's Troy Chaplain and Matt Thomas, and Adelaide's Chris Knights.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/gws-giants-threaten-cotchin-offer-as-they-tell-richmond-dom-tyson-is-off-limits/story-fndv7pj3-1226476839357
