Zantuck wants out, Ottens asked to take cut
By Jake Niall, Caroline Wilson
September 15, 2004
Richmond defender Ty Zantuck is set to join the player exodus at Punt Road, having asked the Tigers to trade him to another club.
Richmond football director Greg Miller confirmed yesterday that Zantuck, 22, had told the club of his wish to be traded. "Ty's said, 'I don't think I can continue here. I've burnt a few bridges,' " Miller said.
And while Zantuck is looking to leave the club, the Tigers are understood to have instructed Brad Ottens' management that the star young ruckman/forward must take a significant pay cut if he wants to remain next season.
Having already achieved a significant pay cut commitment from former all-Australian defender Darren Gaspar, Miller has made it clear that the club wants to retain the out-of-contract Ottens, 24, but would not do so at his current price of an estimated annual $400,000. At least two other Richmond players will be asked to take pay cuts.
"We know Brad's keen to stay at the club and we want him to stay," said Miller. Of Gaspar, who has altered the final two years of a $2.5 million five-year deal, Miller said: "Darren's an outstanding person and an outstanding player and it's important he be remembered that way."
Fortunately for the Tigers, Zantuck is contracted for 2005 and can only be traded with the club's consent, which is highly likely given the player's wish for a fresh beginning at another club.
"There's been a bit of interest from a couple of clubs," Miller said of Zantuck, who played 14 games this season for a total of 68 in five seasons.
Melbourne, the club at which Zantuck's father Shane played the majority of his 149 games, has expressed some interest in acquiring Zantuck, although it is unclear what he would attract in a trade. In his five years at Tigerland, Zantuck showed versatility and volatility in equal measure.
While he stands just 188 centimetres, Richmond's key defensive holes forced him to play as a key defender on much taller and heavier opponents this year. The Tigers also played him as a marking forward with mixed results. His speed and competitive spirit are considered his major on-field assets.
His time at Richmond was also blighted by off-field indiscretions. He was sidelined for weeks during the pre-season last year after receiving a broken cheekbone at a nightclub.
He was also dropped after being caught up in an incident outside a nightclub in May and for failing to attend a football clinic the next morning.
Miller, meanwhile, said the club was interested in Melbourne midfielder Scott Thompson, who has asked for a trade to Adelaide or Port Adelaide.
