Unsigned Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin finding the open market harder than expected
TIGER Dustin Martin is likely to return to Richmond with his tale between his legs, with only Brisbane offering an escape route from Punt Rd.
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WANTAWAY Tiger Dustin Martin is likely to return to Richmond with his tale between his legs, with only the embattled Brisbane Lions offering an escape route from Punt Rd.
Lions football manager Robb Kerr said yesterday: “We will certainly talk to him.”
But for a club with no coach, a player exodus looming and a warring board summoned to an AFL meditation hearing, Martin would seem highly unlikely to sign at the Gabba.
In a body blow to Martin’s chances of securing a lucrative $600,000 contract at another club, Greater Western Sydney yesterday announced it was no longer interested in securing the 22-year-old.
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Richmond signs Conca to new deal
It came after Melbourne, Carlton, North Melbourne, St Kilda and Collingwood also turned their backs on the midfielder, making it almost certain he will have to go back to Richmond.
The Tigers this week reached breaking point after four months of frustrating negotiations with Martin’s manager Ralph Carr, who is chasing a $600,000-a-season deal for his client - an increase of about $150,000 on what he was on this year.
Richmond has withdrawn its most recent offer, believed to be around $500,000 a year, and re-signed Martin’s teammate Reece Conca who was desperate to stay.
But the club wants to keep Martin and now appears to have the upper hand in any future talks, which would have to start again from scratch.
Giants chief executive David Matthews described Martin as a “very sincere young man” after showing he and Carr through the club’s new facilities on Thursday.
But 24 hours later the expansion club had gone cold.
“We took up the invitation to meet with Martin and his manager Ralph Carr and showed them around our new training facility and SKODA Stadium, but we have made a decision not to pursue further discussions,” GWS football manager Graeme Allan said yesterday.
“We will continue to explore a number of opportunities with other players with a view to add more experience to our playing list and we wish Dustin Martin all the best for his career ahead.”
St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen was similarly emphatic yesterday.
“We are approaching the upcoming trade and draft period with a view to strategically building several aspects of our list but Dustin is not a part of any plans we have in place,” Pelchen said.