Tiger sensation in talks over new contractJon Ralph,
Herald Sun
24 April 2019Sydney Stack’s manager and mentor Paul Peos believes he is made for the big stage that awaits on the MCG on Anzac eve.
Coach and former landlord Damien Hardwick pays him the ultimate tribute of declaring he plays the Richmond way.
Yet Hardwick has a bone to pick with the first-year phenomenon, a player considered so high maintenance every other club except Carlton ran away at a rate of knots.
“He’s not shy in confidence. He texts me every day to ask what time training is. I tell him I am the coach, I am not the training coordinator……” Hardwick said today.
“But he has just been a breath of fresh air for our footy club.
“It’s a remarkable story, isn’t it. That he went past all players in the draft.
“How clean is he with the ball? We showed some vision to our players where he stood over the ball when oncoming traffic was coming and he didn’t flinch. That’s the kind of Richmond player we want and he fits the mould really well.”
If Stack isn’t the best story in the AFL this year he’s on the podium.
Kicked out of the AFL Academy and WA state academy rep squads despite his immense talent, he was overlooked in 78 national draft picks and 40 rookie selections last year.
Then, as Carlton also circled, he bunked in with coach Hardwick over summer and proved he had the fortitude and professionalism to make in AFL ranks.
So far in three AFL games a player finally picked through the new rookie rule has mixed composure with rugged defence, winning 22 poised possessions in the victory over Sydney.
Peos told the Herald Sun his client was thriving on the routine of AFL after moving to the home of development manager Xavier Clark.
So much so that he has already had discussions with list manager Blair Hartley about extending his contract past the current rookie deal of $75,000 plus match payments.
“You can reference it in regards to footy character and personal character,” he said.
“The footy character has never been any different. When he has a footy schedule he has never wavered much if at all. When he hasn’t got that in his life he finds it a bit tougher with how to fill time. But he loves being part of a team and he is a really driven player.
“Richmond were one of the clubs that did some due diligence work around Sydney and I think like all boys it was pretty hard early but Sydney has been on the move a bit for most of his life anyway. He did miss some elements of his family knowing they were a long way away.
“His dad has been unwell and he has strong family connections but he is really engaged about what is in front of him, and I think the MCG is going to suit this boy very well indeed.
“He has a real knack for the occasion and I reckon he will be looking forward to this one very much.”
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/afl-daily-live-rolling-footy-news-from-around-australia-for-tuesday-april-23-2019/live-coverage/ab17636bea3f0989d55eb80ad865e97e
