Kellaway out, Gaspar to stay
Lyall Johnson
The Age
September 7, 2006
COURAGEOUS defender Andrew Kellaway, one of Richmond's favourite sons, is seeking a new club after being told this week he would have very few, if any, opportunities to play senior football in 2007.
Kellaway has not been offered a contract to stay at Richmond and was told that even if a contract were forthcoming, he would face a very limited on-field role — a prospect the veteran was unwilling to accept.
However, while Kellaway is heading out the door, the club yesterday ended speculation on the future of Darren Gaspar by announcing it had re-signed the veteran defender on a one-year deal.
Kellaway, who turns 31 in November, is keen to play on for at least one more year and has instructed his manager, Ricky Nixon, to investigate whether there is interest from other clubs.
Should there be interest, the 2000 Richmond best and fairest and All-Australian would nominate for the 2007 pre-season draft. Otherwise, he will retire without having played a farewell match.
Kellaway and coach Terry Wallace had frank discussions this week, during which the 172-game veteran had his playing opportunities for next season outlined to him.
The club issued a statement yesterday which said Kellaway was "now considering his options" as a result of the meeting.
"Richmond's statement is a bit misleading," Nixon said yesterday. "Andrew has been told that he is not wanted at Richmond next year. He wanted to play on and he has asked me to investigate whether any clubs are interested in him in the form of a trade or as an uncontracted player.
"It staggers me. I honestly don't know the rationale other than the last couple of years his last four or five games haven't been great. His form was terrific until he did his hamstring this year."
Richmond football manager Paul Armstrong was yesterday unwilling to comment on what was said between Wallace and Kellaway but denied the club had told Kellaway he wasn't required next year.
Armstrong said the club's stance on the playing opportunities being offered to Kellaway had nothing to do with Kellaway tearing his hamstring while surfing before the round-17 match.
"What (Kellaway) discussed with Terry is between him and Terry.
"He's an outstanding bloke — one of the best guys you'd meet in footy," Armstrong said.
Richmond said yesterday that Gaspar had been offered a one-year deal but it had not renewed the contract of assistant coach David Wheadon, who had been at the club for seven years.
Recent speculation over Gaspar's future had been rife, with the 30-year-old former All-Australian and club best and fairest sidelined with a knee injury since round 16. To that point, Gaspar had managed eight games due to injury.
"Darren's record speaks for itself and he is very much part of our plans for 2007 and beyond," said Richmond football director Greg Miller.
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