Ty Vickery offered an attractive long-term deal to leave Richmond for HawthornSAM EDMUND
Herald Sun
September 1, 2016TY VICKERY has been offered a long-term deal to join Hawthorn.
The Hawks are keen to secure the wantaway Richmond ruck-forward and have laid out an attractive package to tempt Vickery to Waverley.
The Hawthorn offer could be for as long as three years in what looms as a significant show of faith in the polarising Tiger big man.
Vickery, 26, has played his last game for Richmond after a turbulent season that saw him dropped twice and overlooked in the final fortnight for fringe key position pair Todd Elton and Callum Moore.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has maintained Vickery is a required player, declaring after the Round 22 loss to St Kilda that he was “firmly in my best 25”.
“He’s a really important player to our footy club ... make no mistake,” Hardwick said.
But the Herald Sun has been told Vickery has grown fed-up with being made a scapegoat for Richmond’s problems. The restricted free agent has spent this week saying goodbye to his Richmond teammates.
Vickery has met with Hawthorn officials multiple times where they’ve told him they can make him a better player and expressed their belief that he can make them a better side.
Hawthorn, who have become masters at recruiting established rival talent in recent years, haven’t been as efficient up forward in the wake of David Hale’s retirement. Jarryd Roughead’s absence and the late-season knee injury to Jonathon Ceglar has further highlighted the need for another versatile big man.
Geelong has also expressed an interest in Vickery, aware it may need tall reinforcements with Nathan Vardy set to explore greater opportunity and Mitch Clark struggling for fitness and form.
Adelaide made contact, but it’s understood Vickery doesn’t want to move interstate.
A Vickery move to Hawthorn would bolster Richmond’s trade position if, as expected, his departure netted the Tigers a second-round pick under free agency compensation. The restricted free agent window opens on October 7.
Ex-Hawthorn list chief Gary Buckenara this month told the Herald Sun that the Hawks were a perfect new home for Vickery after eight seasons at Punt Rd.
“When he (Vickery) played at his best, he has shown he has AFL-quality; it has just been so inconsistent,” Buckenara said.
“Maybe in the Hawthorn system under ‘Clarko’ and with their development program, which has been proven over such a long period of time, it would bring the best out of Ty.”
Buckenara said Vickery would complement goal kickers Jack Gunston and James Sicily, 21.
“Ty would give them (Hawthorn) the size and structure that they will look for, particularly now with Hale retired,” Buckenara said.
Richmond champion Matthew Richardson believed “a fresh start might be good for him”, while Essendon premiership captain Tim Watson said he believed Vickery “needs somewhere new”.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ty-vickery-offered-an-attractive-longterm-deal-to-leave-richmond-for-hawthorn/news-story/44b6301711b5a158299613e9ddf37d80
