TonyK
CibbuanoRichardson and Tigers start contract talks
May 28th 2008 22:39
MATTHEW RICHARDSON and Richmond have started talks on a new deal for the reigning best-and-fairest.
The 33-year-old finishes a two-year deal this year, and is currently in career-best form, averaging 19 possessions per game and booting 27.15 at an excellent accuracy rate of 64 per cent.
Richmond director of football Greg Miller said the club had no hesitation in re-signing Richardson mid-year.
"Richo is in career-best form and we are very happy with him. We are only halfway through the year but we believe he has the capacity to go on next year. Richo is a Richmond man through and through, so we have no issue whatsoever," he said.
Richardson's manager Ricky Nixon said he expected negotiations on a new contract to go smoothly and quickly.
"I spoke to the club this week about it, so the process has started, and I don't think there will be too many glitches," Nixon said.
"It will be the quickest negotiation in the history of the world."
Nixon said Richardson was happy to play on with one-year deals.
"You don't need to secure multi-year deals at his age. It is a decision he will make at the club and with the people around him how long he can go on for," he said.
"Although I defy anyone to show me a bloke his age who has played as well as he is playing this year. I can't think of anyone at 33 playing as well as he is.
"He hasn't lost any speed, he hasn't lost any agility, he hasn't lost any endurance, and his kicking is getting better."
The 33-year-old finishes a two-year deal this year, and is currently in career-best form, averaging 19 possessions per game and booting 27.15 at an excellent accuracy rate of 64 per cent.
Richmond director of football Greg Miller said the club had no hesitation in re-signing Richardson mid-year.
"Richo is in career-best form and we are very happy with him. We are only halfway through the year but we believe he has the capacity to go on next year. Richo is a Richmond man through and through, so we have no issue whatsoever," he said.
Richardson's manager Ricky Nixon said he expected negotiations on a new contract to go smoothly and quickly.
"I spoke to the club this week about it, so the process has started, and I don't think there will be too many glitches," Nixon said.
"It will be the quickest negotiation in the history of the world."
Nixon said Richardson was happy to play on with one-year deals.
"You don't need to secure multi-year deals at his age. It is a decision he will make at the club and with the people around him how long he can go on for," he said.
"Although I defy anyone to show me a bloke his age who has played as well as he is playing this year. I can't think of anyone at 33 playing as well as he is.
"He hasn't lost any speed, he hasn't lost any agility, he hasn't lost any endurance, and his kicking is getting better."
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