North Melbourne won’t stop chasing stars, despite missing out on Dustin Martin, will retool through draft

MISSING out on the signature of Dustin Martin is not the end of the world for a North Melbourne club possessing a multimillion-dollar off-season war chest and pair of top draft picks.

NORTH Melbourne remains “cashed up” with a multimillion-dollar war chest, but won’t be rushed in its pursuit of the best talent in the AFL after Dustin Martin agreed to stay with Richmond.

The Kangaroos aggressively targeted the raging Brownlow Medal favourite, offering him almost $11 million to exercise his free agency options.

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But after a long campaign in wooing the 26-year-old, which not only included the most lucrative offer in AFL history, but also several meetings with key players including captain Jack Ziebell and coach Brad Scott, Martin told the Kangaroos last night he was going to remain a Tiger.

“We went right down to the wire on this one,” North Melbourne general manager of football Cameron Joyce told the Herald Sun last night.

Dustin Martin has rejected North Melbourne’s mega offer to stay at Richmond.

“We are talking about a potential Brownlow medallist, a multiple All-Australian, best-and-fairest winner and a superstar of the competition who was seriously considering coming to North Melbourne.

“That is the huge positive in this — he saw something in our club versus others that drew him to come to a decision very, very late in the year which has ultimately seen him stay at Richmond.

“We totally respect that, and wish him all the best as he is a terrific guy.”

Joyce assured Kangaroos supporters and members that the club was well placed to attack the draft this year — with pick four and effectively two top 20 picks — as well as remaining “open-minded” about the trade period at the end of this year, as well as next year’s free agency and trade window.

“(Fans) should know that we are leaving no stone unturned to aggressively improve our list,” he said. “We want to add elite talent ... and we will look at Plan B and C, if we need to get to that.”

“We are very prepared. We are not going to just go and try and get any player ... we targeted the elite to add to our group and we will continue to do that if we can this year, otherwise it might be next year.”

The Tigers fought back against the massive North Melbourne play with late financial sweeteners.

Suggestions yesterday of a deal worth $1.3 million a year were off the mark, according to sources.

Martin made the decision after visiting his father in New Zealand this week. Shane Martin has been banned from Australia because of his alleged bikie links despite never being charged.

Martin met with Jack Ziebell during the Roos’ courtship of the star Tiger. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Martin has sacrificed more than $2 million, agreeing to a deal of more than $8 million to stay at Punt Rd until the end of the 2024 season.

Richmond’s offer of $1.1m a year for seven seasons was marginally increased to help get Martin across the line.

It is understood Richmond’s initial offer was around $800,000 and last night’s deal follows months of protracted negotiations between club chiefs and Martin’s high-profile manager, Ralph Carr.

The Martin breakthrough comes as resurgent Richmond seeks to win its first final in 16 years against Geelong at the MCG next Friday night.