Zantuck may stay at Punt Rd
By Jake Niall
The Age
November 11, 2004
Ty Zantuck is preparing to resume training at Punt Road next week, unless he finds a new home by tomorrow afternoon.
Zantuck's management last night said the disgruntled utility, whose desire to leave Richmond was based in part on his fractious relationship with the senior players, was ready to return to training next week should the Tigers fail to drop him off the list by tomorrow's deadline.
Zantuck's manager, Anthony McConville, said his client would return to training next week, since he was contracted to play for the Tigers in 2005.
Zantuck's return to Richmond would place the Tigers in a difficult position, given that the player has indicated his issues with senior players. New coach Terry Wallace recently told coterie group "the Hafey Club" that there was irreparable damage between Zantuck and the senior players and it would be best for all concerned if he left.
Wallace last night said he had not heard any suggestion that Zantuck would be returning. "He hasn't told me he's coming to training," he said.
McConville said that, with senior lists being lodged tomorrow before the national draft, Zantuck was preparing to return to Richmond. "If nothing happens by Friday, he'll be at training next week."
Zantuck's contract - which would see him paid well in excess of $200,000 should he play all the senior games - has made it difficult for the Tigers to off-load him, since other clubs are unwilling to pick up the bulk of the tab.
While Essendon and Richmond failed to strike a deal before the deadline that would have seen Zantuck become a Bomber, Essendon has not been as strong in pursuing the 22-year-old in recent days, having sniffed the possibility that it can acquire Blake Caracella, who has opted to leave Brisbane. The Kangaroos, the other major trade week suitor, are believed to have lost interest in Zantuck.
The Tigers, despite their desire to off-load Zantuck, have indicated that they will not delist him and allow another club to pick him up without picking up a reasonable portion of his contract. The club is understood to be willing to keep him on the list, despite his relationship issues with teammates and its preference for him to leave.
Wallace said it was up to Zantuck and his management to find a new home, given that he had wanted to leave Punt Road.
Brisbane has fended off the advances of Collingwood to re-sign youngster Anthony Corrie on a two-year contract. The Lions have also re-signed ruckman Clarke Keating for another two years.
The re-signings of Corrie and Keating means the Lions have all their players committed for 2005 bar Caracella, who wishes to return to Melbourne and is receiving interest from clubs including Essendon, Collingwood and Geelong, the latter considered a long shot to obtain him via the draft.
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