TonyK
Tash Jayasinghe
CibbuanoLucas, Fletcher re-sign
July 4th 2008 01:13
ESSENDON veterans Scott Lucas and Dustin Fletcher have signed new one-year deals which will see them remain at the club until at least the end of 2009.
Media reports suggested that Lucas wanted a long-term deal, but Essendon chief operating officer Travis Auld said both parties were happy with a one-year deal.
"It’s becoming common practice nowadays with AFL clubs that as players come to the latter part of their career they go on one-year deals and they might end up having two or three seasons of one-year deals and Scott understands that," Auld said.
"He had a good talk to the coach and we committed to Scott that midway through next year we will start talking to him (about his next contract)."
"We’re certainly not going to hang him out until late next year before we start discussions and he’s happy and we are happy and there is no reason why he can’t play for at least a couple more years."
Fletcher, who has played 289 games for Essendon recently said he was keen to play one more season before retiring, but Auld said the club did not want to rule out the chance of the defender playing on into 2010
"Dustin likes to think things through, but we can have a pretty open dialogue with him and we will speak to him mid-way through next year and we will have a chat and see how he is feeling,” Auld said.
"He’s been a stalwart of the club and we are not ruling out that he might play on even longer."
Media reports suggested that Lucas wanted a long-term deal, but Essendon chief operating officer Travis Auld said both parties were happy with a one-year deal.
"It’s becoming common practice nowadays with AFL clubs that as players come to the latter part of their career they go on one-year deals and they might end up having two or three seasons of one-year deals and Scott understands that," Auld said.
"He had a good talk to the coach and we committed to Scott that midway through next year we will start talking to him (about his next contract)."
"We’re certainly not going to hang him out until late next year before we start discussions and he’s happy and we are happy and there is no reason why he can’t play for at least a couple more years."
Fletcher, who has played 289 games for Essendon recently said he was keen to play one more season before retiring, but Auld said the club did not want to rule out the chance of the defender playing on into 2010
"Dustin likes to think things through, but we can have a pretty open dialogue with him and we will speak to him mid-way through next year and we will have a chat and see how he is feeling,” Auld said.
"He’s been a stalwart of the club and we are not ruling out that he might play on even longer."
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