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Contract talks....
Shaun Higgins wants to sign with coach Rodney Eade
The Herald Sun
Mark Stevens and Jon Ralph | July 09, 2009
SHAUN Higgins has a contract on the table that will tie him to the Western Bulldogs until the end of 2012. Although the prime Gold Coast target is satisfied with the terms, he is not expected to put pen to paper until the Dogs coaching job is finalised.
Higgins rates coach Rodney Eade as a major influence and wants to know who will steer the club before committing.
Eade will present his blueprint for the future to the Dogs' football committee next week, but an announcement on his re-signing could be weeks away.
If Eade is re-signed as expected, Higgins will quickly follow and commit to a deal worth about $1 million.
It is handsome reward for a 21-year-old, but Higgins would receive a cash bounty as a marquee signing with Gold Coast, which enters the competition in 2011.
Another key Bulldog, Ryan Hargrave, is believed to be in a similar situation to Higgins.
Hargrave is happy at the club and in career-best form in defence, but his career was revitalised under Eade and he too wants to know the lie of the land.
Leading agent Ricky Nixon manages Eade, Higgins, Hargrave and several young Dogs.
He also handles the affairs of Dogs skipper Brad Johnson, out of contract at the end of the year and destined to play on.
Higgins, considered a future captain of the Dogs, is regarded as a prospective leader on the Gold Coast.
His blistering form, leadership skills and age mean he was always going to be a priority for Gold Coast recruiter Scott Clayton.
But despite the delay, Higgins is determined to remain loyal. Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said the Dogs were confident Higgins would join a number of players to sign before the year was out.
"With him and a number of others we are well into negotiations. The only difference is because of the Gold Coast situation people tend to focus on where they might be heading," Fantasia said.
"Without putting too much of a spin on it, we don't believe there are any issues with any of our guys out of contract."
Any marquee player who commits to the Gold Coast can expect a massive pay rise.
"I don't think anyone is being too silly (with figures)," Fantasia said. "He (Higgins) enjoys being here and enjoys playing with this group and they all do.
"Look at Geelong and how they have kept their group together. They enjoy playing with and for each other and that's half the battle."
Eade has made it clear he wants to stay and complete the job he started in 2005.
With Higgins keen to stay, the most delicate issue facing the list management group is how many of the veterans will stay on.
Scott Welsh, Jason Akermanis and Nathan Eagleton join Johnson as over-30s coming out of contract
Shaun Higgins wants to sign with coach Rodney Eade
The Herald Sun
Mark Stevens and Jon Ralph | July 09, 2009
SHAUN Higgins has a contract on the table that will tie him to the Western Bulldogs until the end of 2012. Although the prime Gold Coast target is satisfied with the terms, he is not expected to put pen to paper until the Dogs coaching job is finalised.
Higgins rates coach Rodney Eade as a major influence and wants to know who will steer the club before committing.
Eade will present his blueprint for the future to the Dogs' football committee next week, but an announcement on his re-signing could be weeks away.
If Eade is re-signed as expected, Higgins will quickly follow and commit to a deal worth about $1 million.
It is handsome reward for a 21-year-old, but Higgins would receive a cash bounty as a marquee signing with Gold Coast, which enters the competition in 2011.
Another key Bulldog, Ryan Hargrave, is believed to be in a similar situation to Higgins.
Hargrave is happy at the club and in career-best form in defence, but his career was revitalised under Eade and he too wants to know the lie of the land.
Leading agent Ricky Nixon manages Eade, Higgins, Hargrave and several young Dogs.
He also handles the affairs of Dogs skipper Brad Johnson, out of contract at the end of the year and destined to play on.
Higgins, considered a future captain of the Dogs, is regarded as a prospective leader on the Gold Coast.
His blistering form, leadership skills and age mean he was always going to be a priority for Gold Coast recruiter Scott Clayton.
But despite the delay, Higgins is determined to remain loyal. Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said the Dogs were confident Higgins would join a number of players to sign before the year was out.
"With him and a number of others we are well into negotiations. The only difference is because of the Gold Coast situation people tend to focus on where they might be heading," Fantasia said.
"Without putting too much of a spin on it, we don't believe there are any issues with any of our guys out of contract."
Any marquee player who commits to the Gold Coast can expect a massive pay rise.
"I don't think anyone is being too silly (with figures)," Fantasia said. "He (Higgins) enjoys being here and enjoys playing with this group and they all do.
"Look at Geelong and how they have kept their group together. They enjoy playing with and for each other and that's half the battle."
Eade has made it clear he wants to stay and complete the job he started in 2005.
With Higgins keen to stay, the most delicate issue facing the list management group is how many of the veterans will stay on.
Scott Welsh, Jason Akermanis and Nathan Eagleton join Johnson as over-30s coming out of contract
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