Dustin Martin contract saga close to end as an announcement is expected this week

RICHMOND great Ian Stewart has added his voice to those eager for Dustin Martin to remains a Tiger with a final Skype session with his dad expected to end the contract saga.

Dustin Martin at Richmond training. Picture: Michael Klein

TIGERS legend Ian Stewart has urged Dustin Martin to play for love rather than money as his contract circus draws to a close.

A final Skype session with father Shane on Wednesday night could finally pave the way for Martin to accept Richmond’s $7.7 million deal

Stewart implored Martin to stay at Richmond, stating: “It’s a lot easier to play for somebody who cares about you, than play for money”.

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The Martin camp remains determined to announce his position by the end of the week after stretching Richmond’s patience.

That could see Martin announcing he will stay at Richmond as early as today ahead of next Friday’s qualifying final against Geelong.

Martin on Wednesday met captain Trent Cotchin for coffee, was to be handed his second All-Australian trophy and squeezed in a Skype session.

Dustin Martin is yet to announce his plans for next season.

But while he will have to sacrifice $2.8m to stay at Richmond, he is also aware of the potential for premiership success at Richmond.

The Martin camp maintains club other than North Melbourne are pursuing 26-year-old but it’s understood Sydney is not among them.

Triple Brownlow Medallist Stewart, who won his third medal at Richmond after moving from St Kilda, said on Wednesday Martin should remain at Punt Rd.

He said Martin would one day realise there was so much more to football than money.

“I’d like to see him stay at Richmond. He’s been good to them and they’ve been good to him,’’ he told the Herald Sun.

“He’s got a home. It’s a lot easier to play for somebody who cares about you, than play for money.

“When you look around, those faces who care about the club and care about you, they inspire you.

“The dollars don’t inspire you. You can’t play for money week in, week out. You can play for money occasionally, like when it’s the last game of the year and you need a new contract.’’

A Footy Show announcement with Eddie McGuire on Thursday night has not been confirmed but remains a live option.

Martin was expected to discuss his position with his father one more time on Skype either before or after the All-Australian awards.

The star free agent is aware that while a $10.5m North Melbourne offer is financially superior, there is more to his career than money.

He is aware that if he left he would also need to be comfortable in his workplace for the next seven years and at a club where he can thrive.

Cotchin and Martin met in a coffee shop across the road from Fox Footy before a Tigers press conference.

Dustin Martin and Alex Rance at the All-Australian dinner. Picture: Michael Klein

The Tigers skipper was guarded about the conversation with Martin, insisting it was simply a catch-up between mates on a day off.

He said he had “no news” about when his teammate would reveal his decision for 2018 and beyond.

“It was just a regular catch-up as we normally do,” he said. “He’s back from New Zealand, I was in the area, he lives not too far away and we got a coffee.

“It’s not a distraction ... I have been really proud of not only the way Dusty has handled himself, but also our playing group, our football club, the way they have managed it throughout this season.”

Richmond co-vice-captain Alex Rance had no update to offer on his teammate’s contract saga at the All-Australian awards, but joked that Wednesday night wouldn’t be the first time he would offer a quiet word to his fellow Tiger.

“I’ve been having a quiet word to him all year,” he laughed.

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Brad Scott has re-signed with North Melbourne until 2020.

“Who wouldn’t want to have Dusty (on their team)?.”

Martin walked the red carpet alongside his teammate, but — as expected — bypassed waiting media at the Palais Theatre in St Kilda.

Rance credited Martin and the likes of also-uncontracted Crow Jake Lever in their ability to shrug off speculation and commentary about their futures to deliver top-level football.

“I think that’s the way the game’s going — it’s a very professional market and guys know what they’ve got to do to get themselves up,” Rance said.

“All the contractual stuff is outside noise.”

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott, re-signed until 2020 today, said he would not be distracted by whether Martin might come to the Roos.

“I don’t allow myself to think about those things. We’ve got people who are in charge of that side of the business,” he said.

Stewart is friends with Martin’s uncle and has spoken to Martin several times.

Asked if he had spoken to Martin about his $10 million contract offer: “No, he’s never asked me.

“I admire what he’s done and from where he’s grown, I admire him tremendously.”