http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 62,00.html
Quote:
Kouta is a special person in Carlton's modern history.
Yes, he's been handsomely paid for a long period, but he has given plenty back.
He has played with the Blues for 15 seasons, in 263 games; he has been the club's major marketing tool for 5-7 years, has finished top three in the best-and-fairest five times, is the reigning club champion and captain.
He deserves better.
If Kouta wants to play and Denis Pagan wants him to continue, he should play on. On money that acknowledges his standing in the club.
He shouldn't suffer the indignity of having to argue for more than the average payment to 600-odd players.
At the start of next season, only Koutoufides, Barnaby French and Matthew Lappin will be 30 or older on the Carlton list. Adelaide will have seven 30-somethings if all the current players continue.
While the game belongs to the young, there's a place for wise old heads, for stability, for leadership, for mentors.
Great players deserve to depart gracefully.
Most of them were underpaid when they were young. Who cares if they get a little extra in the end? Kouta is entitled to $300,000.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 42,00.htmlQuote:
It would be a drastic pay cut on what the Blues champion is earning this year, but last night he strongly denied claims his pay packet this season was more than $1 million.
"Let me make it clear, it's not anywhere near that figure. Yes, I'm getting paid well, but I also agreed to the club's wishes six years ago to help out with a back-ended contract," Koutoufides said.
"I agreed because the club was struggling and they wanted to back-date it to last year, as half of it would only go into the salary cap as I'd be on the veterans' list. I'm not a player who's driven by money, but I'm like anyone -- I have a family to look after."
Koutoufides has sacrificed his own financial situation on numerous occasions during his career for the sake of the club.
The Blues realise how popular Koutoufides is with the club's supporters and the possible backlash if he is treated poorly."
I will not discuss anything to do with the details of the contract, but what I will say is that I'm not selfish and the navy Blue jumper means a hell of a lot to me," Koutoufides said.