Sam Newman explains how Dane Swan convinced Dustin Martin to stay at Richmond

HE had millions of dollars from North Melbourne on one side and the chance to be a Tiger for life on the other. So who was the person Dustin Martin called before making the biggest decision of his life?

AFL great Sam Newman has lifted the lid on the biggest deal in league history, revealing what really convinced Dustin Martin to stay at Richmond.

And from this moment on, Tiger fans should be thanking Dane Swan for making sure Dusty remained in the yellow and black.

With the potential to stay at Richmond on one side and the lure of millions of dollars from North Melbourne on the other side, Martin called his good friend Swan, asking for advice.

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“He (Martin) sought counsel, he rang Dane Swan who was overseas,” Newman explained on Triple M radio.

“He said how he got a better offer at North Melbourne … and he sought counsel, he rang Dane Swan who was overseas. I don’t know where Dane Swan was overseas.

Dustin Martin and Dane Swan in the Richmond rooms.

“And Dane, I think after he managed to interpret what Dusty was saying, he said, ‘You should stay. You should be a one club man.’

“That’s why he (Martin) stayed really.”

A few days later Martin confirmed he would remain at the Tigers on a seven year deal worth more than $8 million. He sacrificed more than $2 million to stay a Tiger for life.

Speaking to the Herald Sun this month, Swan was certain Martin wouldn’t be changed by his rollercoaster 2017.

“I can’t imagine him changing,” Swan said.

“He hasn’t got a big head and he doesn’t walk around as if he is a king, or that he has won all these medals.

Dane Swan and Dustin Martin at Bond Bar. Pic: Rosanna Faraci

“A lot of people (in his position) would have an inflated ego; he hasn’t. He had great teammates around him, and his family and friends, who keep him grounded.

“He has a great relationship with Trent (Cotchin). He lived with him for a few years in the early part of his career and he would have no doubt helped him form some good habits.”

Like most of the football world, Newman watched Martin closely all throughout 2017 as the star Tiger put together arguably the best individual season of all-time.

However, the Footy Show host was watching for a slightly different reason.

During the season, Newman told Martin that, if he went on to win the Brownlow Medal, he would lend him his car.

Newman is often seen around Melbourne driving in his stunning $750,000 Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 SV.

Martin cashed in on the bet last week, finally getting his chance to drive the car while Newman rode shotgun.