Influential Don may sway Dusty

THE man who lured dual Geelong premiership coach Mark “Bomber” Thompson back to Essendon has close links to superstar Richmond free agent Dustin Martin (pictured).

Property developer and influential Essendon coterie figure Mark Casey, brother of former Tigers president Clinton Casey, is a friend and confidant of Martin’s.

Casey brokered the deal in which Thompson quit as Cats coach in October 2010 and returned to Essendon as a senior assistant under James Hird.

Third favourite for this year’s Brownlow behind Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield and Adelaide’s Rory Sloane, Martin, 25, has turned to Casey for advice on property deals.

Bombers chief executive Xavier Campbell confirmed on Wednesday his club had discussed recruiting Martin. “It’s very preliminary stages with Dustin (but) he’s a genuine matchwinner and we’ll see what happens,” Campbell said.

Essendon officials yesterday played down their interest, but Thompson warned the Tigers not to leave themselves open to a raid. “There are some very influential people in and around Essendon that can be very hard to say no to,” Thompson said.

Thompson and Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro pocketed $6.92 million each in March after the sale of a land development scheme at Armstrong Creek, between Torquay and Geelong.

Casey, who controlled the other 51 per cent of the project, made $14 million. He is a former president of the Essendonians supporters group.

Martin is managed by music industry stalwart Ralph Carr and has put off contract talks with the Tigers until the end of the season. Carr said this week: “I’ve got no comment in the terrible fright that I might be misquoted.”

Martin will command more than $1 million a year on the open market but is considered likely to stay at Punt Rd if the price is right.

The powerful, goalkicking midfielder will earn a relatively modest $630,000 this season.

North Melbourne has also expressed interest in making a major play for Martin.

Richmond can increase its own offer thanks to a 20 per cent player pay rise set to be agreed by the AFL Players’ Association and the league.

A source close to Martin said yesterday the star midfielder had backed himself in to produce a career-best season despite speculation on his future.

“He wants a five-year deal and if Richmond steps up to the plate he’s more than happy to stay,” the source said.