TonyK
CibbuanoKey Dogs sign on
June 24th 2008 00:45
THE Western Bulldogs have strengthened their on-field future, signing eight key players to new deals.
Exciting midfielder Ryan Griffen has agreed to a two-year extension, killing off any hope the South Australian clubs had of luring him home next season.
Classy forward Robert Murphy has re-committed to the Dogs until at least the end of 2011.
Midfielders Daniel Cross and Matthew Boyd and defender Dale Morris have also signed for another three years, while skipper Brad Johnson has signed a new one-year arrangement.
Daniel Giansiracusa is yet to officially put pen to paper to complete a new three-year contract but is expected to sign soon, while Rising Star nominee Josh Hill has also been tied up to a new two-year extension.
Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said last night the signings underlined the confidence within the club that they were heading in the right direction.
"It speaks volumes for the football club," Fantasia said.
"We have a group of young men who are aware of the climate and are all really keen to commit to each other."
Fantasia said the club would be paying close to 100 per cent of the cap to ensure the emerging group remained together.
Johnson, Giansiracusa, Murphy, Boyd, Cross and Morris are part of the Dogs' seven-player leadership group with veteran midfielder Scott West the only leadership group player yet to be put in the "definite" class for 2009.
West wants to go on next season and is expected to return from an ongoing knee injury within a fortnight.
Exciting midfielder Ryan Griffen has agreed to a two-year extension, killing off any hope the South Australian clubs had of luring him home next season.
Classy forward Robert Murphy has re-committed to the Dogs until at least the end of 2011.
Midfielders Daniel Cross and Matthew Boyd and defender Dale Morris have also signed for another three years, while skipper Brad Johnson has signed a new one-year arrangement.
Daniel Giansiracusa is yet to officially put pen to paper to complete a new three-year contract but is expected to sign soon, while Rising Star nominee Josh Hill has also been tied up to a new two-year extension.
Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said last night the signings underlined the confidence within the club that they were heading in the right direction.
"It speaks volumes for the football club," Fantasia said.
"We have a group of young men who are aware of the climate and are all really keen to commit to each other."
Fantasia said the club would be paying close to 100 per cent of the cap to ensure the emerging group remained together.
Johnson, Giansiracusa, Murphy, Boyd, Cross and Morris are part of the Dogs' seven-player leadership group with veteran midfielder Scott West the only leadership group player yet to be put in the "definite" class for 2009.
West wants to go on next season and is expected to return from an ongoing knee injury within a fortnight.
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