 09-19-2007, 06:46 PM |
| Senior Sports Writer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 930
vCash: 500 |  Hudson walks out on the Crows
| Quote: Hudson quits Crows
Article from: The Advertiser
MICHELANGELO RUCCI, CHIEF FOOTBALL WRITER
September 19, 2007 02:15am
RUCKMAN Ben Hudson has quit the Crows after his contract talks broke down last week as Adelaide labelled his demands as excessive.
Hudson, 29 next year, has asked to be traded to the Western Bulldogs.
Hudson, who was plucked from VFL obscurity by Adelaide in the 2003 draft, demanded a three-year contract worth more than $1 million.
Adelaide offered a two-year deal with a lower annual pay scale.
Despite 55-game Hudson drawing controversy to himself late this season - when he was suspended from the August 12 clash with Geelong for breaking a team curfew - the exit from the Crows is based purely on the terms and value of his new contract at West Lakes.
However, there is also speculation Hudson lost interest in Adelaide after coach Neil Craig gave him a scathing assessment of his form at the start of August after a poor performance against Essendon at the Telstra Dome. This was shortly before he broke the curfew.
Adelaide football operations manager John Reid last night confirmed Hudson and the Crows were left at odds on Friday.
"Negotiations with Ben on a new contract have broken down," said Reid.
"As a result, his management has advised us that the Western Bulldogs are keen on Ben.
"We regard Ben as a required player. We are waiting to hear just where the Bulldogs stand on this."
It is uncertain if the Bulldogs are planning a package of players - such as South Australians Jordan McMahon and Stephen Tiller - or draft picks for Adelaide.
Hudson's exit has left a sour taste at Adelaide. The Crows are questioning Hudson's appreciation for their taking him from VFL club Werribee as a 25-year-old as the No. 58 pick in the 2003 national draft after an AFL opportunity seemed to have passed him.
Also, Adelaide stood by Hudson as he recuperated from major knee surgery in 2006.
Hudson played 22 of a possible 23 matches this season, carrying Adelaide's rucks as Rhett Biglands was sidelined by a major knee injury from last year's preliminary final against West Coast.
Hudson's departure dramatically leaves Adelaide vulnerable in the ruck division. It has the recuperating 30-year-old Biglands and 21-year-old rookie ruckman John Meesen, drafted from Victoria two years ago, out of contract and set for a raid from Carlton.
Adelaide's other ruck options are novices Ivan Maric and Jonathon Griffin, both aged 21.
Hudson's exit will increase Adelaide's need to accept a deal with Brisbane for West Adelaide-drafted ruckman Cameron Wood.
Hudson is the second Adelaide player to ask to be traded out of West Lakes. He follows key forward Ken McGregor who is seeking to find greater opportunities with the prospect of being signed by any of Fremantle, Richmond and the Bulldogs.
Hudson's VFL club, Werribee, is aligned to the Bulldogs.
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade also needs a ruckman - more so than a key forward such as McGregor - to cover the absence by retirement of Luke Darcy. | That was a suprise __________________  |  | | |
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