Is Dustin Martin poised to re-sign with Richmond?

RICHMOND has tabled a “compelling” offer to Dustin Martin but chief executive Brendon Gale says the club remains in the dark over his intentions beyond this season.

Will Dustin Martin stay at Richmond?

RICHMOND has tabled a “compelling” offer to superstar midfielder Dustin Martin but the Tigers remain in the dark about his intentions beyond this year.

There has been speculation the Tigers are closing in one securing Martin beyond this year despite his manager Ralph Carr declaring no decision will be made until after the season.

But Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale says the club isn’t close to manking an announcement and at this stage, nothing has changed.

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“We’ve been given no indication otherwise and that’s where things are at,” he told ABC Grandstand.

“Unless you know something I don’t? Not to my understanding, no.

“This is something we’ve been dealing with all year.

Will Dustin Martin stay at Richmond?

“Dusty is in a great place, he’s happy, playing really good footy and contribting strongly to our team and that’s what’s important at this stage.

“We’ve been in constant discussions. The offer is a very compelling one and it’s an environment in which Dustin has really prospered in, he’s really grown. It’s a credit to himself, he’s a remarkable young man and all things considered, the offer we’ve put to him is a very strong one.”

Is Dustin Martin set to re-sign at Richmond? Picture: AAP

There has been speculation the Tigers have offered the raging Brownlow Medal favourite a six or seven-year contract, worth between $1.1 to $1.2 million per season.

Martin’s manager Ralph Carr has consistently said a deal won’t be finalised until the end of the season, and he reaffirmed that yesterday, saying there was “nothing to report”.

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Martin, 26, was this week backed into odds-on favourite to win football’s highest individual honour after his most obvious rival Patrick Dangerfield was suspended for a match.

If Martin re-signed with the Tigers it would sink an audacious bid by North Melbourne to lure him to Arden St.

The Kangaroos are believed to have tabled a six-year offer worth more than $6 million to Martin’s management.

We'll have another hit when you're back in A-grade @DustinMartin4 🏓 pic.twitter.com/WMbmeIoBcI

— Trent Cotchin (@tcotchin9) July 26, 2017

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has remained confident this year that Martin’s eight-year tenure at Punt Rd would be extended.

“He has been in the system for eight years not and he is a guy who has improved every year. It’s a credit to him and the work he does,” Hardwick said last month.

“He takes care of himself, I would love to say I have had a massive contribution to it, but he’s just a bloody good player.”

Originally published as Is Dustin Martin poised to re-sign with Richmond?