Marns
27 Oct 2005, 21:57
Just in case anybody missed it:
Neitz puts ink to new deal
8:30:17 PM Thu 27 October, 2005
Paul Gough
Sportal for afl.com.au
http://afl.com.au/cp2/c2/webi/article/235486bm.jpg
Melbourne skipper David Neitz is set to become the Demons' longest-serving player and its greatest ever goalkicker after agreeing to a new two-year deal on Thursday night.
Neitz ended the 2005 season with 265 games and 534 goals to his name, since debuting in 1993, leaving him within touching distance of the two proudest records in Melbourne's long history.
He is just eight games short of overtaking games' record holder Robert Flower's tally of 272 games and needs just 13 more goals to overtake Norm Smith's club record goals tally of 546, which has stood since 1948.
And Neitz already holds the Demons' record as the longest-serving captain, having led the club on 134 occasions with the club confirming on Thursday night he will again lead the team in 2006 with his new contract running through until the end of 2007.
Neitz, who will be 31 by the start of next season, said his new deal would ensure he played his entire career at Melbourne.
"I'm honoured to continue my career with Melbourne and am very fortunate to play all my football at the one club," he said.
"My body feels good and I have the opportunity to continue to assist my younger teammates to get better as individuals and as a collective group."
Given that by early next season he is most likely to hold virtually every important individual record at Melbourne, it's no surprise that the major goals for Neitz going forward are team-related.
"I'm really looking forward to the 2006 season and I am genuinely excited about the team's prospects for the year ahead," Neitz said.
"I can't wait for our round one clash against Carlton to kick off our 2006 season."
Neitz said he was confident the Demons, who this year reached successive finals series for the first time since 1991, now had the nucleus of a good side.
"We have a good mix of young and experienced players that hopefully will bring the ultimate success before my time is over and I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensuring this to be a realistic possibility," Neitz said.
Melbourne's list and recruiting manager Craig Cameron said the 2002 Coleman Medalist and best-and-fairest winner was still capable of being a match-winner for the Demons.
"David still has the ability to make a big impact during games and has been a tremendous leader at Melbourne for some time," Cameron said.
"He sets a fantastic example for our younger players and we're hoping that he can assist in developing the next leaders of this club."
The decision of Neitz to re-sign means the Demons now have all of their big guns locked away to new contracts with number one ruckman Jeff White recently putting pen to paper to a new three-year deal.
Neitz puts ink to new deal
8:30:17 PM Thu 27 October, 2005
Paul Gough
Sportal for afl.com.au
http://afl.com.au/cp2/c2/webi/article/235486bm.jpg
Melbourne skipper David Neitz is set to become the Demons' longest-serving player and its greatest ever goalkicker after agreeing to a new two-year deal on Thursday night.
Neitz ended the 2005 season with 265 games and 534 goals to his name, since debuting in 1993, leaving him within touching distance of the two proudest records in Melbourne's long history.
He is just eight games short of overtaking games' record holder Robert Flower's tally of 272 games and needs just 13 more goals to overtake Norm Smith's club record goals tally of 546, which has stood since 1948.
And Neitz already holds the Demons' record as the longest-serving captain, having led the club on 134 occasions with the club confirming on Thursday night he will again lead the team in 2006 with his new contract running through until the end of 2007.
Neitz, who will be 31 by the start of next season, said his new deal would ensure he played his entire career at Melbourne.
"I'm honoured to continue my career with Melbourne and am very fortunate to play all my football at the one club," he said.
"My body feels good and I have the opportunity to continue to assist my younger teammates to get better as individuals and as a collective group."
Given that by early next season he is most likely to hold virtually every important individual record at Melbourne, it's no surprise that the major goals for Neitz going forward are team-related.
"I'm really looking forward to the 2006 season and I am genuinely excited about the team's prospects for the year ahead," Neitz said.
"I can't wait for our round one clash against Carlton to kick off our 2006 season."
Neitz said he was confident the Demons, who this year reached successive finals series for the first time since 1991, now had the nucleus of a good side.
"We have a good mix of young and experienced players that hopefully will bring the ultimate success before my time is over and I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensuring this to be a realistic possibility," Neitz said.
Melbourne's list and recruiting manager Craig Cameron said the 2002 Coleman Medalist and best-and-fairest winner was still capable of being a match-winner for the Demons.
"David still has the ability to make a big impact during games and has been a tremendous leader at Melbourne for some time," Cameron said.
"He sets a fantastic example for our younger players and we're hoping that he can assist in developing the next leaders of this club."
The decision of Neitz to re-sign means the Demons now have all of their big guns locked away to new contracts with number one ruckman Jeff White recently putting pen to paper to a new three-year deal.