Dustin Martin arrives in New Zealand to discuss future plans with father Shane

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: A RICHMOND insider says he is confident Dustin Martin will stay at the club as the star arrives in NZ to visit his father, Shane.

A RICHMOND insider says he is confident Dustin Martin will stay at the club as the star arrives in NZ to discuss his future plans with father Shane.

On Sunday, the Herald Sun confirmed Martin would depart Melbourne after Richmond’s game against St Kilda to talk over his options.

The pressure is on Richmond to increase its offer with Martin understood to be choosing between a $1.5m deal at North Melbourne or $1.1 million a year at Tigers.

Both deals are over seven years so Martin would have to give up $2.8 million to stay with the Tigers.

Dustin Martin's father on balcony of their hotel: Simon Runting

Martin arrives at Auckland Airport. Picture: Simon Runting

Dustin Martin arrives at Auckland Airport with his manager today

LISTEN TO THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST’S TAKE ON DUSTIN MARTIN’S FUTURE IN THE PLAYER BELOW:

AFL fan slammed for posing as disabled for better seat

Support of Collingwood players key reason for Nathan Buckley contract extension

AFL 2017 season awards: Vote for goal of the year, mark of the year coach of the year and more

Dustin Martin is driven from the airport in Auckland. Picture:

It’s possible a decision could be announced this week, which would likely keep him at Richmond.

Throughout the season, Richmond has allowed Martin the time to visit his father who was deported for his links to the Rebels motorcycle gang.

He was flown to New Zealand by the Government in April, 2016, after Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said he failed to meet the minimum character requirements to remain in Australia.

Any delay on a decision until after the finals likely means Martin will be wearing blue and white stripes next year.

But despite the threat of Martin leaving, a club insider who asked not to be named said he was confident Martin would stay.

Dustin Martin steps off the plane to a media throng.

“The bigger picture will come into play and the dollars and cents of the two contracts won’t matter,” the insider said.

“If he’s a Brownlow Medallist at Richmond he’ll make a quarter of that up this year — 20 years into the future that’s going to be worth so much more.”

Dustin’s father Shane has been forced to watch all his son’s games on TV after he was deported because of his alleged links to the Rebels motorcycle club.

Richmond legend Francis Bourke said that Martin had every right to make the best choice possible for himself.

Martin kept his headphones in as he walked through the airport.

He said that Richmond’s best chance of keeping Martin was to play good football.

“As far as I’m concerned, I hope he stays. You would argue that your instincts would be sated by being in a successful organisation,” he said.

Bourke who was in Richmond’s 1967 premiership, which was the first flag since World War Two, said this crop of Tigers were on the verge of something special.

“They’ve got a chance to put themselves in a unique position. That’s what football is all about,” he said.