FORMER Richmond forward Kayne Pettifer might not play at Yarrawonga after all.
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Montmorency president Damian Long yesterday said Pettifer, who played with the Magpies in Melbourne’s Northern League last year, still had a year to run on his contract.
Pettifer signed a one-year deal at the Pigeons last month.
A stunned Long heard about Pettifer’s defection when shown The Border Mail’s report last month.
He has since told Pettifer he won’t be cleared without compensation.
“Until we get the figure I’ve discussed with Kayne we’re not clearing him,” Long said.
“We hold all the aces so the ball’s in their court.”
Yarrawonga president Glenn Brear said he hadn’t heard anything to suggest Pettifer was contracted to Montmorency.
“I know nothing about it,” Brear said.
“Kayne has not mentioned anything.
“I’ll run it past him — there’s still plenty of time before footy starts.”
Long said Montmerency had worked hard to secure the mercurial goal kicker and saw him as a vital of its flag assault.
“We worked our arse off — we got him licenses and his job,” Long said.
“I’m feeling a little bit annoyed. You work so hard for some people.
“When you have a plan and then a marquee player doesn’t want to stick around, it’s disappointing.”
Long understood one reason for Pettifer leaving was to play alongside Brendan Fevola and Craig Ednie.
He said Pettifer was “hungry for a flag” and that might have contributed to him moving from club to club.
Since Richmond delisted him in 2009, Pettifer has had stints at Kyabram, East Perth, Montrose and Montmorency before signing at Yarrawonga last month.
Last season he kicked 51 goals in 15 games.
If he does play for Yarrawonga this year, Pettifer will join the likes of Fevola, Ednie, Brad O’Connor and Marcus McMillan in a potent attack.