Sweetener giving defensive player stimulation at first (8)

I believe the answer is:

kickback

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(Other definitions for kickback that I've seen before include "Bribe - recoil" , "Bribe paid by seller to purchasing agent" , "Commercial bribe paid by a seller to a purchaser as an inducement to buy" , "special gift" , "Recoil; illicit payment" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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