Tazza will be on around 400+ for the next four years.

Nicholas · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Location: Melbourne

Tarrant re-signs for four years
By Jake Niall
July 03 2003

Chris Tarrant will be staying with the Magpies for at least the next four years.
Picture: GETTY IMAGES

Collingwood has confirmed that it should be in a position to pursue a quality player from another club after signing possibly its most valuable on-field asset, forward Chris Tarrant, to a long-term deal.

The Magpies have contracted Tarrant, the AFL's leading mark-taker, for the next four years. Tarrant had a year to run on his existing deal, which has been replaced by a four-year contract, estimated at between $1.6 million and $1.8 million over that period, an average of $400,000-$450,000.

The Magpies yesterday announced the re-signing of Tarrant and reliable defender James Clement - the latter to a three-year deal - and acknowledged that the pair had accepted "reduced salary packages" in an effort to help the club.

Collingwood chief executive Greg Swann confirmed that the willingness of Tarrant and Clement to sign for less than market rates - the latter's deal is believed to be about $800,000 over three seasons - meant the Magpies were in a position to look at improving their list with a player from another club, as they did with Shane Woewodin last year.

"They've accepted a lesser amount than they could get elsewhere to enable us to improve our list," said Swann. "What that means, depends on who's out there. But we have some scope."

advertisement

advertisement

The length of Tarrant's commitment - four years - is unusual in the present player market and a sign of the once reluctant forward's growing ease with his football future.

Burnt by excessive long-term deals, such as those that have hurt Carlton (Anthony Koutoufides) and Essendon (Mark Mercuri), clubs are reluctant to sign players for deals longer than two years.

"The management were happy to do it and so were we," said Swann of the long-deal terms for Tarrant and Clement. He said Tarrant and Clement were physically sound players who played most weeks.

In a media statement, the club said: "Collingwood would like to acknowledge the contribution that James and Chris have made in accepting reduced salary packages to assist the club's salary-cap position. It is a credit to both players and their management that negotiations have been completed smoothly and to the satisfaction of all parties involved."

Tarrant leads the AFL in marks and, having improved his body strength and contesting capacity, is also among the competition's leaders in contested marks this season. He has booted 32 goals in 13 games, in a roaming role in which he rotates between the goal square and half-forward.

The Magpies' salary-cap position will be improved next year by Nathan Buckley's eligibility for veteran status. Buckley, one of the AFL's highest-paid players, will open up significant room in the cap, since only half of his wage will count in the total player payments.

Printer friendly version Email to a friend

Search the Fairfax archives for related stories
(*Fee for full article)

In this section

Five left in race for AFL top job

Alexander · Joined: 02 Jul 2003

Great work by the club.

zoia · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2003 6:35 am

i bet brookes happy

Daniel · Joined: 22 Apr 2003

There's no way Clement would be on a measly $275 K a season.... that is a ridiculous suggestion considering he's our and one of the league's best defenders.

If he took a reduced package, it'd more likely be around $350 K.... which is over 1 mill in 3 years.

STOKA35 · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Mount Barker. South Australia

well done to the club signing taz and clement they are great players.I am going to say something about players wages, WAGES ONLY for aplayer to receive $400,0000 a year is that to much.If you break it down to a weekly wage that is $7,700 a week and there are 10 other teams in melbourne how do clubs afford it.

MagpieMad · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2003 3:59 pm

who cares about the amount of cash they get, they have taken a pay cut for the benifit of our club and I for one am proud of them for putting Collingwood before their pocket.

Good onya Clemo and Taz!.

MissMagpie_20 · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2003 10:36 pm

Im stoked. Just shows what an awesome guy Tazza is, hes obviosuly 100% committed to our club. Well done Tazman. Very Happy

TaZ_LuVs_EmIn3m · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2003 11:54 pm

awww that is great news good to see how his heart is with the pies!!!

It makes ya feel so good knowin he aint going n e where for 4 years and probably another 4 after that (we hope)

Joe · Joined: 01 Jun 2003

Lets hope they can deliver.

Brown26 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2003 1:57 am

fantastic to think that Bucks on the veteran list and those two on reduced salaries - great commitment and attitude - will allow us to go for another gun player, great managment by the club and on choosing good guys inthe first place!!

- Ben

Nicholas · Joined: 06 Mar 2003 Location: Melbourne

Agree and I luv eminem the contrast couldn't be starker with the pair wh9 wouldn't sign last year. Taz and Clemo = loyalty, the other two arseholes.