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Stafford sticks with Richmond
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
11:15:13 AM Fri 8 November, 2002
Amid all the excitement generated by the many changes on and off-field at Richmond recently, there has been another piece of good news that, for the most part, has escaped public attention.
Powerful ruckman-forward Greg Stafford has extended his Tigerland stay by another two years.
Stafford, 28, initially signed a one-year agreement with the Tigers when he was traded by Sydney at the end of the 2001 season.
Although groin and hip problems ate into much of Stafford’s season early on, the way he finished 2002 was enough to convince his new club that he had plenty to offer over at least the next couple of years.
“We were really impressed with the way Greg went about his football this year,” said Richmond’s Football Manager Greg Hutchison.
“It was unfortunate that pre-season he was injured, but even the work he did off the field, when he was injured, was really good.
“And, once we saw him play, he was really able to make an impact. His impact, in terms of leadership and the influence he had on the people around the Club, was fantastic.
“It was pretty hard for him because he was injured early and then couldn’t play to the level that he would have liked when he first started playing here. But once he came back after the break, he was really good and that’s why we’re rapt we were able to get him on a new two-year deal.”
Stafford kicked 26 goals in his 16 games for Richmond during the 2002 season, with 19 of those coming in the last eight home-and-away rounds, including consecutive bags of four against Fremantle and Hawthorn respectively (Round 19-20).
His height, strength and clever football brain caused major problems for opposition defenders in the final few weeks of the season and he formed a potent partnership with star Tiger forward Matthew Richardson, who clearly appreciated the goalkicking assistance provided by the former Sydney big man.
“It seems he can play that role up the top of the goal square pretty strongly,” Hutchison said.
“He’s got a good body which enables him to hold his ground and control the ball at the contest.
“There’s no doubt he gives us a decent target to kick a ball to, which is a real plus
Tony Greenberg
richmondfc.com.au
11:15:13 AM Fri 8 November, 2002
Amid all the excitement generated by the many changes on and off-field at Richmond recently, there has been another piece of good news that, for the most part, has escaped public attention.
Powerful ruckman-forward Greg Stafford has extended his Tigerland stay by another two years.
Stafford, 28, initially signed a one-year agreement with the Tigers when he was traded by Sydney at the end of the 2001 season.
Although groin and hip problems ate into much of Stafford’s season early on, the way he finished 2002 was enough to convince his new club that he had plenty to offer over at least the next couple of years.
“We were really impressed with the way Greg went about his football this year,” said Richmond’s Football Manager Greg Hutchison.
“It was unfortunate that pre-season he was injured, but even the work he did off the field, when he was injured, was really good.
“And, once we saw him play, he was really able to make an impact. His impact, in terms of leadership and the influence he had on the people around the Club, was fantastic.
“It was pretty hard for him because he was injured early and then couldn’t play to the level that he would have liked when he first started playing here. But once he came back after the break, he was really good and that’s why we’re rapt we were able to get him on a new two-year deal.”
Stafford kicked 26 goals in his 16 games for Richmond during the 2002 season, with 19 of those coming in the last eight home-and-away rounds, including consecutive bags of four against Fremantle and Hawthorn respectively (Round 19-20).
His height, strength and clever football brain caused major problems for opposition defenders in the final few weeks of the season and he formed a potent partnership with star Tiger forward Matthew Richardson, who clearly appreciated the goalkicking assistance provided by the former Sydney big man.
“It seems he can play that role up the top of the goal square pretty strongly,” Hutchison said.
“He’s got a good body which enables him to hold his ground and control the ball at the contest.
“There’s no doubt he gives us a decent target to kick a ball to, which is a real plus
