‘It’s on’: Plot thickens in Dustin Martin Richmond exit theory

Dustin Martin has been an absolute legend for the Richmond Football Club but the rumours are gathering steam he may be moving on.

The plot thickens. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The traction of the idea of Dustin Martin leaving the Richmond Tigers is growing as Caroline Wilson said she believed the deal was being considered.

Earlier in the week, 3AW’s Sam McClure reported that there was “a very large chance” Martin would move on from the club he won three premierships and three Norm Smith medals with.

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Although Martin wasn’t narrowed down to moving to Sydney, Wilson, speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night, said it appeared as though something was being worked out.

“I thought the talk about Sydney was a complete furphy. I’m now hearing that perhaps it’s on. It’s certainly something that is being considered,” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified.

“Sydney have shown some interest. Not directly necessarily in Dustin Martin. And Dustin Martin, according to people at the club, just isn’t quite as engaged as he was in the past.

“He started the year with a broken heart, it was a shock loss at the end of last year … and for the first time I think there are people at Richmond looking at life beyond Dustin Martin.”

The four-time All-Australian has long been linked to a move to Sydney.

Martin was seen training with NRL star-turned boxers Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams in Sydney after the death of his father Shane in December.

The Tigers star took time away from football on mental health grounds after round one and returned to play in round eight.

Dusty in action. Photo by Michael Klein

Dusty marks the ball. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

It comes after Wilson spoke to Swans CEO Tom Harley earlier in the week on 3AW about players the club might be interested in.

After drawing a line through Jordan De Goey, Harley laughed off interest in Martin, saying “I haven’t been asked about Martin in about a month”.

Wilson said she felt Harley “no” on Martin “wasn’t quite as definitive” as it was for De Goey.

Harley also said he hoped Buddy Franklin would play again next year but Wilson said it would be a drastically reduced offer for the current Swans star.

“I just feel there’s a bit going on behind the scenes. Richmond are trying to keep Liam Baker, they’re looking at (Jacob) Hopper, (Tim) Taranto,” Wilson said.

“I don’t know if it’s the right decision though, I don’t know, I hope I’m wrong but I’m really worried I’m right.”

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd said if the Swans did go for Martin that it would be risky for Sydney.

“It’d be a sad thing for people at Richmond, because wouldn’t you love Dustin Martin to be a one-club player, because of the champion he’s been for the club,” Lloyd said.

“But I think if it does happen, it’s not the worst thing for Richmond. Dustin’s just turned 31, he’s on $1.2m to $1.4m a season, that’s a lot of money at 31 years of age.

“It’s a big risk for the Sydney Swans, to be honest, to be taking on a 31-year-old, and he wouldn’t be going there for two years — he’d be going there on a three or four-year contract.”

Should Dusty stay or should he go? Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Ross Lyon disagreed however and said the Tigers needed to keep him and that this was all part of the grieving process for his father.

“This in Dustin’s life can be worked through and he’ll come out the other side, and I’d love him to come out the other side at the Richmond Football Club,” he said. “We’ll lose him in Sydney.”

Speaking earlier in the week, McClure said Sydney would “move heaven and earth” to bring Martin to the club, perhaps to form a partnership with Lance Franklin.

Martin is reportedly owed $2.6m for the next two seasons, which would make it hard for any team to fit him into their salary cap.

For McClure, he said it would be a no-brainer for either the Swans or GWS Giants to go for Martin.

“You extend Dustin’s contract, that’s the easy way to do it,” McClure said.

“You pay him the $1.3 million for two years, you add two years out the back on not much money, and you get it done.

“A four year deal, give him the extra two. Say (to him) you’re probably gonna play at full forward. You conduct a situation where Dustin Martin and Lance Franklin are playing in the same forward line for a year – memberships sell themselves.”

Bombers legend Tim Watson said back in May that he believed the Tigers had had the discussion and that it was “on the table”.