Tigers play hard ball with Ottens
23 September 2004
Herald Sun
Jon Pierik
SYDNEY will have to look elsewhere for a new ruckman after Richmond last night emphatically reiterated its desire to keep Brad Ottens.
And in a warning for the out-of-contract big man, Tigers coach Terry Wallace said he would look to use the club's No. 1 pick in the pre-season draft to hold on to Ottens, if he wanted out.
Sydney and Geelong are believed to be the frontrunners in a group of six clubs racing to snare Ottens' signature, with Swans coach Paul Roos having spoken to the 24-year-old.
But Wallace, into his fourth week in charge at Punt Rd, scotched rumours yesterday that Ottens was poised to sign with the Swans.
"I've had two conversations with Brad and he told me that he wanted to stay," he said.
"Unless I hear something different from him or his management, which I haven't heard, we're not going to jump to anything that is speculated by newspapers."
Wallace said Ottens, who is likely to play from the goalsquare next year with Matthew Richardson roaming around the 50m arc, was a required player.
"The Richmond Footy Club is in a position where we have first pick in the second draft," Wallace said. "So if you're an uncontracted player, we have the ability to pick them up, whether that be our own or others. That puts us in the pole position."
Ottens collected about $450,000 this year but has been asked to take a cut of more than $100,000 a year in the deal he is considering from the Tigers.
Richmond director of football Greg Miller believes Ottens has been paid on potential for too long -- and it's now time for results.
If the two parties cannot reach agreement, and Ottens wants out, the Tigers can either organise a trade or leave him to nominate for the pre-season draft.
The Tigers, as they do in the national draft, have the first pick there, with Hawthorn at No. 2, the Western Bulldogs at No. 3 and Collingwood at No. 4.
Geelong chief executive Brian Cook confirmed the Cats had spoken to Ottens' management but he was just one of several players the club was interested in.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,10850187%255E20322,00.html