Jack Riewoldt in talks with Richmond for a long-term deal Jon Ralph
From: Herald Sun
March 22, 2013 6:47PMCOLEMAN medallist Jack Riewoldt has begun talks on a new long-term deal, and he and Richmond are confident of a speedy resolution.
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Riewoldt, 24, has recently joined the elite stable being assembled by Strategic Management's Liam Pickering that includes Lance Franklin, Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Gary Ablett.
Pickering and new Tigers football manager Dan Richardson have spoken about Riewoldt's deal and will start thrashing out the length and cost.
Although Riewoldt is thought to bleed yellow and black, Richmond will have to pay huge dollars for a player with two Coleman Medals, an All-Australian nod, a best-and-fairest and 215 goals in the past three seasons.
The Tigers now have talks under way with their big three out-of-contract stars - Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin.
The Herald Sun revealed in November Richmond's issues with Martin's behaviour, and the potential for him to be elsewhere next year.
But given a positive off-season, and Cotchin's recent guarantee that Martin is on track for a bumper season, the 21-year-old is much closer to securing a new contract than he was late last year.
Pickering said Riewoldt was ready for a big year after spending the past two seasons fighting injury issues.
"He is one of the stars of the competition and, without putting too much pressure on him, the Tigers should come good this year so he should get a bit more ball in there," he said.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/jack-riewoldt-in-talks-with-richmond-for-a-long-term-deal/story-e6frf9jf-1226603728606
