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Richmond’s young star Dustin Martin is set to leave the AFL club for one of their rivals.
The Tigers issued a statement on Monday saying that Martin and his management had informed the club of “their desire to pursue offers from other clubs”.
Richmond had been confident of striking a deal to keep the 22-year-old.
“Given the considerable effort we have put into Dustin’s development both on and off the field, and our efforts to retain him all season, we are extremely disappointed with this decision,” Richmond’s football manager Dan Richardson said.
“We are proud of the way Dustin has developed as a footballer, and as a person, in his time at Richmond and we have been steadfast in our view that he is a required player who has an exciting football career ahead of him.
“However, we understand the business of football, and Dustin’s right to pursue other opportunities.”
Richardson hinted it had come down to the Tigers being unwilling to meet Martin’s financial demands.
“We have also stated previously that we are determined to adhere to our payment strategy for all of our players, many of whom have already committed to the club and its future direction during the 2013 season,” Richardson said.
Martin is not a free agent, meaning either the club he wishes to join will have to satisfy the Tigers in a trade deal, or he will have to enter the pre-season or national drafts.
Martin has played 86 games with the Tigers over four seasons, including all 23 this year.
Taken at No.3 in the 2009 national draft, he finished third in the club’s best and fairest award in 2011, just his second season.
This year he has averaged 24 disposals and a goal per game.
Martin was suspended by the Tigers for two games late last season for missing a training session after taking a sleeping pill.
But the Tigers had said this season they were pleased with the way he had progressed both on and off-field.
Richmond development coach Mark Williams, who joined the Tigers in the off-season, has taken Martin under his wing this season, including providing guidance on keeping his off-field life in order.
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