Yesterday we saw the beginning of a saga that is bound to be followed throughout the year, when it was reported that Richmond’s Dustin Martin has already put his contract talks with the Tigers on hold until the end of the season.
It’s an early stage of the year at which to do so, suggesting that Dusty is very seriously considering ‘his options’ – AKA heading for the exit, which might be the smartest thing he’s ever done.
I don’t mean to rub Richmond fans the wrong way – well, not too much anyway – but what would be the point in him staying at Punt Road anyway?
He is 25 years old and coming into the peak of his career. For the Tigers to contend for a flag in the time has left, they’d have to knock off the budding Greater Western Sydney super team in their prime. That’s a team against whom, you might remember, the Tigers managed just three goals in Round 19 last year.
If Richmond are any chance of winning a premiership in the foreseeable future, it’ll come through yet another rebuild, and Dusty’s career may well be over by then.
So moving clubs is the smart thing to do, if he can find a place that will give him a bit more dosh to walk around with, and a greater chance at on-field success. He might even get to win a final.
St Kilda have already been rumoured to be sweet on him, which makes sense – they’ve got some good talent, but nobody world-beating, and could use a superstar.
There was a lot of talk too about Adelaide making a play for him this time last year, and that wouldn’t be a half-bad idea either – they’ve probably still got plenty of cash lying around that would once have been earmarked for Paddy Dangerfield.
Of course, he could also make the very wise decision to join the next generation of Hawthorn superstars – sure, we’ve already got Tom Mitchell and Jaeger O’Meara, but we can find room for one more. Two, counting Nat Fyfe.
Really, any club with cash to splash and a half-decent shot at a flag in the next five years should be tossing their hat in the ring.
That’s a far cry from the last time Dusty looked at his options, a few years ago when quibbling over contract size with the Tigers. Back then he was still an inconsistent player who caused more headaches for his fans than he did for his opponents.
The only clubs interested then were those that were desperate for any kind of mature talent, GWS and Melbourne, and they both backed off pretty quick.
Times have changed, though. He has delivered on his promise, came third in the Brownlow last year in fact. He’s an A-grade midfielder without a doubt.
There’s a golden opportunity here for a club on the rise to swoop on one of the few players whose development Richmond has actually got right.
Tigers fans shouldn’t be too upset if it comes to pass anyway. Free agency compo will mean a first-round pick for them, and if they have another poor year – and that’s a pretty small if – that’ll mean two top-ten, maybe two top-five selections at the draft.
Add in the fact that they’ve already got GWS’s first-rounder and that’s a decent hand of selections to rebuild with after the Damien Hardwick era inevitably comes to an end. Just don’t pick anymore Richard Tamblings.
It may only be January, and things could change, but I’m confident you’ll see Dustin Martin in new colours come 2018 (hopefully brown and gold).
It’ll be smart for him, smart for Richmond, and very smart for whoever picks him up.
Chris
Guest
Who has egg on their face now? Lol
Paul G
Guest
Hahaha-de-bloody-ha!
Joe Caruso
Yeah me too Tiger man, only now it's 2 years on, a Brownlow, 2 Premiership, 2 Norm Smith medals all because he decided to stay and for go the bigger $$$ offers but still got a 7 year deal for which the Tigers were happy to give him. Oh and as for the coach who was on the way out well they kept him and now he's a 2 time premiership coach and could possibly deliver them a few more before his done. The President, CEO and board all stayed and have been part of it all, not to mention 2 years of over 100k membership, something 17 other clubs can keep dreaming about. Enough said.
Tiger Joe
Guest
Yeah 2 years on after deciding to stay at Richmond, he's now has a Brownlow, 2 Premiership and 2 Norm Smith medals, the coach who was suppose to go is now a 2 time premiership coach and 2 years running the basket case Tigers have over 100k members and they are not done yet.
Tiger man
Guest
Hahaha I just came across this article! Isn’t it funny what 12 months will do for a club! Dusty made the right choice and the flag is ours! What a great time to be alive
Nick
Guest
This could not have been more wrong
Gary jones
Guest
Great call, dick head
Penster
Roar Guru
A few vouchers to the Chinese restaurant at Jupiter's Casino could get this deal over the line.
David C
Guest
Plenty of Bikie gangs to hang out with on the Gold Coast as well. Should feel right at home.
David C
Guest
I don't think he'll be going anywhere. He looked at all his options 2 years ago and ended up back it Richmond. Probably happen again.
David C
Guest
Well I think it will be a good year for Richmond. They are either going to be successful on the field or have a new coach by about the bye rounds and will be starting another rebuild. Either way they will be in a better position than they are now.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Everyone is saying Hawks but this is a team that's already committed to giving their first rounder to the Saints at the end of 2017 and from all accounts if you listen to the gobby hawks fans they'll be picking late in the draft anyway. They won't have the currency to swing a trade. Richmond will be demanding a top 5 pick and then some - what are the Hawks going to be able to offer that gets them anywhere near that? I can't see it happening. If he does choose to go interstate I am saying Gold Coast.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Gold Coast would be a great destination for Dusty. Not only would be surrounded by a whole bunch of derros with neck tatts, it's also only a 2 hour flight from Coolangatta airport to go home and see his Dad.
Birdman
Guest
oh, I'm def. serious....
Gus
Guest
Get serious Bird droppings!
Cat
Roar Guru
I don't think it's safe to assume he stays in Melbourne. Sure he would love to get away from the Melbourne media
Brinnx
Guest
So assuming he leaves the Tigers and stays in Melbourne, who does he go to? Money on offer would be roughly the same, give or take $100k, with a 4-5 year contract, so if you were Dusty and wanted future success to go with the cash where would you go. Melbourne, St Kilda and probably Collingwood (if they perform this year) would offer him a lot as they would think he could push them into the top 8. These clubs would be 1st in line. Bulldogs don't need him, North are in full rebuild so it a no from them, and Geelong would love him but can't afford him. Hawthorn could pull another coup, but there is a lot of cash tied up in the current team and only the Hawk faithful doesn't expect them to fade this year. Outsiders would be Carlton, a year or two to early in their recruitment strategy I believe, and I think they will go after Jon Patton anyway. That leave's the Bombers, and I don't think they will be in a position to attract anyone next year due to all the contract extensions they have had to offer their players to come back/stay. Whoever takes him is taking a risk, Martin is a good player but no Fyfe. You never know - he might even stay if the Tigers confound expectations this year. The Tigers will be one of the stories of the year, they will either crash and burn, or rise like a phoenix, (or end up 9th -that would be classic) Either way it will end in flames.
Birdman
Guest
every one of those situations could well be a positive........
Gus
Guest
Jaeger on one leg and representing a massive recruitment risk, Vickery with no heart, Mitchell and Lewis gone with Roughy having been seriously ill - hardly encouraging signs.
Birdman
Guest
haha - Hawks a sinking ship!