CJH
21 Dec 2003, 18:39
McGrath wrangle
21 December 2003 Sunday Herald Sun
By JACKIE EPSTEIN
RICHMOND could face legal action over the dumping of Martin McGrath earlier this month. His management is looking into whether the Tigers have breached an agreement for next season.
"We're going to have some frank and open dialogue past the festive season," manager Peter Jess said.
McGrath, 19, was overlooked in the preseason draft and rookie draft this week.
He was told by football director Greg Miller the club wanted a key position player and felt he was not adapting to life in the AFL.
McGrath has signed to play with North Ballarat in the VFL and will relocate, along with his mother, from Perth to Ballarat in the New Year.
"I thought I was working well," McGrath said.
"It was more of a shock than anything, because I'd done all the hard training.
"I'm going to have to put my head down. My goal for next year is the draft and to prove to the footy world that I can play."
North Ballarat coach Stephen Wright said the club had also signed former Cat and Tiger Craig Biddiscombe and former Blues Andrew Eccles and Jim Plunkett.
"We want to showcase him and his talents and give him every opportunity," Wright said.
Jess said the program for young players at Ballarat was too good an opportunity to pass up.
21 December 2003 Sunday Herald Sun
By JACKIE EPSTEIN
RICHMOND could face legal action over the dumping of Martin McGrath earlier this month. His management is looking into whether the Tigers have breached an agreement for next season.
"We're going to have some frank and open dialogue past the festive season," manager Peter Jess said.
McGrath, 19, was overlooked in the preseason draft and rookie draft this week.
He was told by football director Greg Miller the club wanted a key position player and felt he was not adapting to life in the AFL.
McGrath has signed to play with North Ballarat in the VFL and will relocate, along with his mother, from Perth to Ballarat in the New Year.
"I thought I was working well," McGrath said.
"It was more of a shock than anything, because I'd done all the hard training.
"I'm going to have to put my head down. My goal for next year is the draft and to prove to the footy world that I can play."
North Ballarat coach Stephen Wright said the club had also signed former Cat and Tiger Craig Biddiscombe and former Blues Andrew Eccles and Jim Plunkett.
"We want to showcase him and his talents and give him every opportunity," Wright said.
Jess said the program for young players at Ballarat was too good an opportunity to pass up.