Dustin Martin reveals where he will continue AFL career

AFL superstar Dustin Martin’s playing future has revealed where he will call home for the next seven years.

THE news of Dustin Martin’s AFL future has finally been confirmed.

Martin officially announced on Nine’s AFL Footy Show that he has signed a new deal with the Richmond Tigers.

The 26-year-old had been mulling over a contract offer from North Melbourne - reportedly a seven-year deal - that was worth significantly more money.

Seven more years for Dusty! #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/Ap1tKi7VHs

— The AFL Footy Show (@AFLFootyShow) August 31, 2017

Dustin Martin leaves Richmond training. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Channel Nine journalist Ayrton Woolley broke the news of Martin’s re-signing on Thursday evening.

“In the past few moments I’ve been told by the North Melbourne football club that they’ve been informed by Dustin Martin’s management that they are officially out of the race,” Woolley told Nine.

“It means Dustin Martin is staying at Richmond. He met with club officials today and the deal is seven years, believed to be worth $1.3 million per season.”

Rumours emerged on social media throughout Thursday afternoon, that Martin was set to appear on Nine’s AFL Footy Show - to confirm the news, which proved correct.

"It's a massive relief to be honest, I'm sick of people talking about it" - Dusty opens up after re-signing with Richmond. #9AFLFootyShow pic.twitter.com/bymSyRF8JY

— The AFL Footy Show (@AFLFootyShow) August 31, 2017

Martin said he was relieved to get to finally put the issue to bed.

“Yeah, it’s a massive relief to be honest. I’m sick of people talking about it. As I said, I don’t like being the centre of attention, so people can go find something else to talk about now,” Martin told Nine.”

Martin said he felt uncomfortable speaking to rivals North Melbourne about making a switch, from 2018, likening it to having an affair on a partner.

“I met with the coach and the leadership group and I really appreciate those guys for taking the time and showing interest. We just had a meeting a couple of times.

“Kind of felt like I was cheating on a girlfriend, it was weird.”

The Richmond Football Club have been great to me and we are on an incredible journey together and I’ve just got such great relationships at that football club.

Martin confirmed that his father, currently exiled in New Zealand had a big say in his new deal.

“It’s been incredibly hard not having him here. The club has been great letting me go over there and see him, but he would love to be here, but I speak to him on the phone and hopefully he is back here soon.”

Dustin Martin in action for Richmond.

Speculation ran rampant on Thursday evening, after Richmond CEO Brendan Gale was shown leaving the house of Martin’s manager Ralph Carr, where it is believed news of the Richmond star remaining at the Punt Road club was confirmed.

Tigers’ CEO Gale though would not discuss the contract issues when he was seen exiting the house.

AFL journalist Mark Robinson suggests Richmond were forced to increase its offer to the star midfielder to ensure he did not leave for North Melbourne.

“If it’s true, in the last 24 hours it’s gone from $1.1 (million) to $1.3,” Robinson told SEN.

“So in a week it’s gone $200,000 up, and they’ve come in every week and said ‘this is our offer, we’re not changing it’.

“Now we’re led to believe its gone up $200,000 in a week.

“Who knows what’s really true, but it started at $800,000 and so it has gone up $500,000 plus. “If it’s true they’re paying a fraction over 10 per cent of the salary cap to one player, on an unconditional contract for seven years.

“I hope he plays every single game and I hope when he leaves football we say ‘how lucky were we to see this guy play.”

Dustin Martin re-signs to stay at Richmond because:
1) He loves the Club. 2) He loves 9.1 Million Dollars.

— Matt Tarrant (@MattTarrant) August 31, 2017

Originally published as Dustin Martin reveals where he will continue AFL career