Tributes for legend Lou
Melbourne’s money man
JORDAN Lewis has told some of his new Melbourne teammates that accepting less money will help the club break the game’s longest premiership drought.
Lewis is a believer in former coach Alastair Clarkson’s salary sacrifice model and is spreading the Hawthorn gospel at the Demons.
In a sign of the strong leadership Melbourne recruited by signing Lewis, 31, last year, he recently discussed the financial model with teammates.
The Demons have not played finals since 2006 and are searching for their first premiership since 1964 – 53 years ago. The Hawks approach allowed the club to pick off stars from rival clubs during their 2013-2015 run of flags.
“That was (Clarkson’s) big selling point to a lot of the older guys – take less money (and) stay as a group,” Hawthorn’s Luke Hodge said.
“He said that multiple times. He said you’re not going to get the financial riches for it right now, but if you can finish your career as a two, three or four-time premiership player, that is going to reward you post your career.
“So you might not get it in one lump sum as a player, but that’s going to help you when your footy career finishes.
“Everyone bought into it and that’s why so many blokes stayed for less money.”
The Demons aren’t believed to be under salary cap strain and the imminent boost to player wages under the new collective bargaining agreement will help them keep their talented list together.
Under new coach Simon Goodwin, the Dees enjoyed a coming-of-age win on Saturday night as they stunned ladder-leader Adelaide by 41 points. THE great Lou Richards was bid farewell by 1000 of Melbourne’s most prominent names in AFL and entertainment.
The 94-year-old Collingwood and media icon was honoured with a state funeral that was televised across Australia.
“He would be humbled by this response,” said daughter Nicole Morrison at St Paul’s Cathedral yesterday, “but only for a short time”.
Laughter echoed through the church as family and friends told stories of all the Lou’s – Lou the footballer, Lou the multimedia mega star in print, television and radio, and Louie the Lip.
But most importantly, stories were told of Lou the captain – not of his almighty Magpies, although he was that too – but of his family, ‘Team Lou’.
His great mate Ron Joseph said Lou told him his farewell would be “bigger than Texas”.
“You better start thinking about what you are going to say, because it will be a bloody big funeral,” Ron regaled yesterday in Lou’s very own words.
“Harold Holt’s nothing on mine.”
Some of football’s greatest names packed the pews to say goodbye to a champion of the game, from Collingwood legends Peter McKenna, Peter Daicos and Murray Weiderman to AFL identities Ron Barassi, Bob Skilton, Mick Malthouse and Gillon McLachlan.
Notable Victorians were there including ex-premier John Brumby, Opposition leader Matthew Guy and Senator Derryn Hinch, along with media personalities Garry Lyon, Rex Hunt and Billy Brownless.
Lou’s daughter Nicole Morrison and grandson Ned Morrison led the tributes while Collingwood president Eddie McGuire, Nine News presenter Tony Jones and AFL administrator Ron Joseph also spoke.
Nicole remembered her father, who was “the most loyal person I have ever known”.
“Lou was the best captain you could ever have,” she said.
“He he got the best out of his players. He loved us, he spoiled us, supported us, and most of all gave us the most wonderful life.” will have