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Swans' four-year offer to ruckman
Jenny McAsey | September 22, 2007
THE Sydney Swans have offered premiership ruckman Darren Jolly a lucrative four-year contract to stay at the club.
Jolly, 25, held lengthy talks with the club on Thursday and is closely considering the deal, which would give him the long-term stability he is looking for.
Jolly, who shared rucking duties with ex-Hawthorn player Peter Everitt this year, is understood to have been contemplating a return to Melbourne to be closer to both his and his wife's family.
He is also believed to have been concerned about the financial strains of raising a family in Sydney, where housing is far more expensive than Melbourne.
A four-year contract is unusual, with most players signing for two or three years.
With the veteran Everitt, 33, expected to retire at the end of 2008, Sydney is keen to secure Jolly's services for the long term.
"More and more teams now are trying to lock away players," Sydney coach Paul Roos said yesterday. "We value him as a player, and ruckmen are hard to come by, so we are hoping it gets sorted out ASAP. But we are still waiting to hear from his manager.
"We are reasonably positive about him staying, but we haven't officially heard yet as to what he is doing."
Jolly, who has been holidaying in Melbourne with his family, is managed by Melbourne-based Michael Quinlan.
While a number of clubs, including the Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Richmond and St Kilda are in the market for ruckmen, Jolly, whose contract expires in October, has not negotiated with any of them.
Originally from North Ballarat in regional Victoria, Jolly started his career with Melbourne in 2001. Three years ago, after limited opportunities, he was traded to Sydney in exchange for the club's first-round pick, selection No15.
While some critics said the Swans should not trade early picks, the club has been more than happy with its decision as Jolly has developed into one of the competition's leading ruckmen, and has played almost every game.
Jenny McAsey | September 22, 2007
THE Sydney Swans have offered premiership ruckman Darren Jolly a lucrative four-year contract to stay at the club.
Jolly, 25, held lengthy talks with the club on Thursday and is closely considering the deal, which would give him the long-term stability he is looking for.
Jolly, who shared rucking duties with ex-Hawthorn player Peter Everitt this year, is understood to have been contemplating a return to Melbourne to be closer to both his and his wife's family.
He is also believed to have been concerned about the financial strains of raising a family in Sydney, where housing is far more expensive than Melbourne.
A four-year contract is unusual, with most players signing for two or three years.
With the veteran Everitt, 33, expected to retire at the end of 2008, Sydney is keen to secure Jolly's services for the long term.
"More and more teams now are trying to lock away players," Sydney coach Paul Roos said yesterday. "We value him as a player, and ruckmen are hard to come by, so we are hoping it gets sorted out ASAP. But we are still waiting to hear from his manager.
"We are reasonably positive about him staying, but we haven't officially heard yet as to what he is doing."
Jolly, who has been holidaying in Melbourne with his family, is managed by Melbourne-based Michael Quinlan.
While a number of clubs, including the Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Richmond and St Kilda are in the market for ruckmen, Jolly, whose contract expires in October, has not negotiated with any of them.
Originally from North Ballarat in regional Victoria, Jolly started his career with Melbourne in 2001. Three years ago, after limited opportunities, he was traded to Sydney in exchange for the club's first-round pick, selection No15.
While some critics said the Swans should not trade early picks, the club has been more than happy with its decision as Jolly has developed into one of the competition's leading ruckmen, and has played almost every game.
