If Dustin Martin wants a premiership medallion, then he either needs to drag the Tigers over the line this year, when they shouldn’t win the flag, or re-sign.
Rumours this week have suggested North Melbourne are now offering Martin $10.5 million over seven years – $1.5 million per season, for what will likely take him to the end of his career.
When Martin first announced that he wanted to put off negotiations over his contract to the end of the season, I laughed as the media and fans kept telling Richmond to up their offer and pay the man.
His deferment had little to do with money and everything to do with Richmond’s trajectory after a poor 2016, and three first-round finals eliminations in the years prior to that.
That’s still what a lot of it’s about. However, North have now gone to obscene measures to try and present a ‘Godfather’ offer to Martin – one that he can’t refuse.
There are a number of questions though, that come with taking the Kangaroos up on their offer.
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Firstly, there’s North’s current position. They’re battling it out for the wooden spoon this weekend against Brisbane, and they’re not going to be competing for a premiership in the next few seasons.
Richmond will be. 2017 is premature, but give them another consistent tall in the forward 50, and another year or two of development into the current list, and they’ll be in the mix for the next five or so years.
Second is North’s list management. If they’re spending over ten per cent of the salary cap on Martin, that’s a lot less available to pay the other 43 players on their list. Wayne Carey was right this week, when he said the amount North is offering Martin is too much to one player. It’s putting all your eggs in one basket.
Right now, Martin is Richmond’s version of Michael Jordan – great, great player, but Jordan’s greatness was assisted by those around him. So it is with Dusty – can North’s support network provide him the same as he’s getting at Richmond? Can they generate the chemistry that exists between Trent Cotchin and Martin? Do they all balance one another neatly?
Third is Dusty himself. For a media-shy personality, he hasn’t exactly been the type to avoid headlines throughout his career. Richmond have bent over backwards to help him through some of his struggles, and he’s a part of the family at Punt Road.
Does he get the same support when he’s the $10 million man at Arden Street?
Four years ago, part of the decision for clubs to not take Martin was that they knew he was at home at Richmond and didn’t have the passion to go elsewhere. From what I’ve seen of North – particularly toward the end of last year – their administration doesn’t have the same supportive attitude toward their players that the Tigers have provided Martin over the first half of his career.
AAP Image/Julian Smith
If Martin takes the big bucks on offer from North Melbourne, in seven years’ time, he’ll sit exactly where Gary Ablett sits right now – having tried and tried to carry an entire team on his shoulders, and wondering whether chasing the money was the right call.
As a final thought, Richmond supporters, don’t think it’s the end of the world if he does take the money.
Martin’s defection would be on par with Lance Franklin or Patrick Dangerfield – but neither Adelaide nor Hawthorn went backwards from the previous season after losing two of the biggest names in the league.
AFL is a team sport, and as good as one player can be, individuals don’t win flags.
If North Melbourne want to learn that lesson the hard way, then let them.
Bruce
Guest
Agreed
Philby
Guest
Make that 3 first round picks as we'd get an extra one as compensation if Dusty chose North Melb.
Cat
Roar Guru
Why shouldn't Dusty look after himself? Who else will? He isn't the type of player who will go onto media or coaching careers, so this is it. His working life has a very short shelf life.
FreoKnight
Guest
if Dusty worked at AFL House, there would be no question what he would do. He would follow the money and if didn't he would have to answer to Gill. As much as I hate it, Football is a business these days which looks to make as much money as possible on its investment. You should expect Dusty to do the same.
truetigerfan
Guest
Damn good!
Ridley
Guest
If Dusty leaves (and I hope he doesn't), Richmond will have a spare $6million bucks to go shopping for Josh Kelly or next years best free-agents, or a combination of cheaper players, maybe a Rockliff + developing key forward type. Add that to two first round draft picks coming up to either use or trade and the list should still be looking pretty good.
Mark
Guest
Pay all of Tippett's salary AND Dusty's? No chance.
Philby
Guest
Yeah, I read that article, and you were spot on - though not alone among Richmond supporters that 2016 was a one-off. Have to laugh at the comment there by 'Neveragain', a Kiwi who adopted the Tigers but by the end of last year had deserted us for the far more promising Lions....
Philby
Guest
That's not a given - only perhaps, and we are improving fast, so we could well get them. We have two first round draft picks coming up and I expect us to be active at the trade table too, so look out for the Tiges next year.
truetigerfan
Guest
Yeah fair enough Andrew. You've named 5. Agree that Thomas, Hansen and maybe Swallow are iffy best 22 players, have to be replaced all the same. Thompson and Waite are easily best 22 quality at North and both are key position players. I must have missed North's 'good winning run'. When and who?
JD
Guest
Add Dustin Martin to Sydney's current midfield. That's frightening.
Lroy
Guest
I don't think Richmond can beat either the Crows or the GWS if those sides are on their game. Take the money Dusty!!!
tibor nagy (big four sticks)
Guest
I totally agree. To single out Dusty is to down play the stellar role the entire team has played. Astbury has lifted to whole new level this year. Rance is the best full back in the competition. Butler, Castagna, Rioli, and Bolton are carving up the opposition. Cotchin is ever reliable. Lambert and Vlaustin are under rated. Riewoldt and Nankervis have had great seasons. We are a champion team.
truetigerfan
Guest
Yes 1.5 brilliant seasons and 6.5 very good seasons. Dunno where you've been but Dusty has been terrific since game1 and been building ever since. You're obviously tripping, dude.
truetigerfan
Guest
I agree with you he wouldn't be the same player in a different environment but I AM saying those players ARE better than the ones at North. Crazy to leave but good luck to him if he does.
bazza
Guest
Don't kid yourself. He loves the roar of the Tiger Army. Just doesn't want the media hassles. Richmond have shielded him from this well.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Cat's just stirring. He has a point though. The jury is still out on the Tom Boyd deal. If he can overcome his depression, I think he will become increasingly valuable for us and be worth the money, especially in light of the extra salary cap and tv rights revenue.
bazza
Guest
Fair enough. Sydney was first choice, obviously been done before. Perth more an afterthought. Soz. Point being he won't have anonymity at North!
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Well that would be nice and NM mostly sorted Richmond in recent years but the fear of losing Dustbowl is palpable. If he does go to North, the NM vs Rich clash would be fun and a half, the boo-ometer would go through the roof.
Mattyb
Guest
Agree with all that Dougie,and don't get me wrong I'm more than happy with having Boyd at the end of the day. The response was more to give a fair appraisal to Genes totally out of context rumblings that if one team made a particular trade people therefore have no right to discuss any other trades. It also needs to be remembered,as fans we don't do the trade,we don't sit in on the negotiations,we just have opinions on what goes down. I still really hope Boyd can become more a forward who plays the majority of the game there. Funny thing is the two best games he's ever played was a Prelim and a GF,I'll take that from a 21 year old at this stage.