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Dal Santo re-signs with the Saints
21 June 2005 Herald Sun
Mark Robinson
ST KILDA'S push for the top received a significant boost last night when rising star Nick Dal Santo re-signed for two years.
Team player: Nick Dal Santo has turned his back on big money at other clubs to stay with the developing Saints.
Dal Santo told coach Grant Thomas at training on Sunday he would accept an improved St Kilda offer and last night the deal was sealed after several emails and telephone calls.
Dal Santo's decision thwarts both Essendon and Collingwood, who were keen to have discussions with the one-time Brownlow Medal favourite.
Following teammates Luke Ball and Nick Riewoldt, Dal Santo accepted much less than his market value to stay at Moorabbin.
Dal Santo's management met Thomas last Tuesday before the 22-year-old took his offer home to Bendigo for the weekend for discussions with his parents.
Thomas and Dal Santo had a brief meeting on Sunday where the midfield playmaker told Thomas he had no problems with the offer.
Dal Santo's manager Tom Pretroro, who was in Queensland, late yesterday asked for minor alterations to which Thomas agreed.
The classy left-footer could have received upwards of $500,000 a season, but is understood to have stayed for a fraction more than half of that.
Pretoro would not discuss financials, but confirmed Dal Santo's future at the Saints.
"He's very happy to have signed," Pretroro said.
"He was prepared to stay (on less money) in pursuit of team success."
The six-week negotiations ended without any real fear Dal Santo would leave the club.
"We went through the whole exercise and you don't contemplate that (leaving) until the end of the season," Pretroro said. "We worked out what was important."
Thomas was delighted with his latest signature.
'"We are really happy obviously, Nick's a quality individual, a quality player and obviously very much apart of our long-term plans," Thomas said.
Dal Santo's commitment, he said, gave the club strong vindication of where it was heading.
"I think players are putting much higher value on loyalty and team success at the moment," he said.
"I suppose club ideals can change very quickly and when you're in the position to hopefully go through a successful era, it takes a lot of hard work and time to be part of a successful era.
"When you weigh finances and completing the task against going somewhere else and potentially starting from base again . . . Nick Riewoldt, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo, they are all confirmation of that.
"We've still got a few to do but I'm very confident we can continue to follow that program."
Meanwhile, discussions continue with injured Justin Koschitzke although Thomas is adamant the ruckman-forward will soon re-sign with the club. Koschitzke is unlikely to play against Essendon this week, but is expected to play the week after.
21 June 2005 Herald Sun
Mark Robinson
ST KILDA'S push for the top received a significant boost last night when rising star Nick Dal Santo re-signed for two years.
Team player: Nick Dal Santo has turned his back on big money at other clubs to stay with the developing Saints.
Dal Santo told coach Grant Thomas at training on Sunday he would accept an improved St Kilda offer and last night the deal was sealed after several emails and telephone calls.
Dal Santo's decision thwarts both Essendon and Collingwood, who were keen to have discussions with the one-time Brownlow Medal favourite.
Following teammates Luke Ball and Nick Riewoldt, Dal Santo accepted much less than his market value to stay at Moorabbin.
Dal Santo's management met Thomas last Tuesday before the 22-year-old took his offer home to Bendigo for the weekend for discussions with his parents.
Thomas and Dal Santo had a brief meeting on Sunday where the midfield playmaker told Thomas he had no problems with the offer.
Dal Santo's manager Tom Pretroro, who was in Queensland, late yesterday asked for minor alterations to which Thomas agreed.
The classy left-footer could have received upwards of $500,000 a season, but is understood to have stayed for a fraction more than half of that.
Pretoro would not discuss financials, but confirmed Dal Santo's future at the Saints.
"He's very happy to have signed," Pretroro said.
"He was prepared to stay (on less money) in pursuit of team success."
The six-week negotiations ended without any real fear Dal Santo would leave the club.
"We went through the whole exercise and you don't contemplate that (leaving) until the end of the season," Pretroro said. "We worked out what was important."
Thomas was delighted with his latest signature.
'"We are really happy obviously, Nick's a quality individual, a quality player and obviously very much apart of our long-term plans," Thomas said.
Dal Santo's commitment, he said, gave the club strong vindication of where it was heading.
"I think players are putting much higher value on loyalty and team success at the moment," he said.
"I suppose club ideals can change very quickly and when you're in the position to hopefully go through a successful era, it takes a lot of hard work and time to be part of a successful era.
"When you weigh finances and completing the task against going somewhere else and potentially starting from base again . . . Nick Riewoldt, Luke Ball, Nick Dal Santo, they are all confirmation of that.
"We've still got a few to do but I'm very confident we can continue to follow that program."
Meanwhile, discussions continue with injured Justin Koschitzke although Thomas is adamant the ruckman-forward will soon re-sign with the club. Koschitzke is unlikely to play against Essendon this week, but is expected to play the week after.
