$8M DUSTY STICKS WITH THE TIGERS

Roos still cashed up as Martin chooses Tigers

NORTH Melbourne remains “cashed up” with a multi-million-dollar war chest, but will not be rushed in its pursuit of the best talent in the AFL after Dustin Martin last night agreed to stay with Richmond.

The Kangaroos aggressively chased the raging Brownlow Medal favourite, offering him almost $11 million to exer- cise his free agency options. But after a long campaign in wooing the 26-yearold, which not only included the most lucrative offer in AFL history, but also several meetings with key players including captain Jack Ziebell and coach Brad Scott, Martin told the Kangaroos last night he was going to remain a Tiger.

“We went right down to the wire on this one,” North Melbourne head of football and list manager Cameron Joyce said last night.

“We are talking about a potential Brownlow medallist, a multiple AllAustralian, best-and-fairest winner and a superstar of the competition who was seriously considering coming to North Melbourne.

“That is the huge positive in this — he saw something in our club versus others that drew him to come to a decision very, very late in the year which has ultimately seen him stay at Richmond.

“We totally respect that, and wish him all the best as he is a terrific guy.”

Joyce assured Kangaroos supporters and members that the club was well placed to attack the draft this year — with pick four and effectively two top 20 picks.

The Roos also remain “open-minded” about the trade period at the end of this year, as well as next year’s free agency and trade window.

“[Fans] should know that we are leaving no stone unturned to aggressively improve our list,” he said.

“We want to add elite talent . . . and we will look at Plan B and C, if we need to get to that. “We are very prepared. “We are not going to just go and try and get any player ... we targeted the elite to add to our group and we will continue to do that if we can this year, otherwise it might be next year.”

The Tigers fought back against the massive North Melbourne play with late financial sweeteners.

Suggestions yesterday of a deal worth $1.3 million a year were off the mark, according to sources.

Martin made the decision after visiting his father in New Zealand this week.

Shane Martin has been banned from Australia because of his alleged bikie links despite never being charged.

Martin has sacrificed about $3 million, agreeing to a deal of about $8 million to stay at Punt Rd until the end of the 2024 season.

It is believed Richmond’s initial offer was about $800,000 and last night’s deal follows months of protracted negotiations between club chiefs and Martin’s high profile manager, Ralph Carr.

The Martin breakthrough comes as resurgent Richmond seeks to win its first final in 16 years against Geelong at the MCG next Friday night.