Martin plays starring role as suitors circle
IF NORTH Melbourne wasn’t already fully committed to its pursuit of Dustin Martin, the star Tiger’s brutal dismantling of the Kangaroos last night should do the trick.
Martin turned in one of the finest performances of his season-long audition for potential suitors as the Tigers went on a third-quarter rampage to put the Kangaroos away, 14.17 (101) to 9.12 (66).
In doing so, Richmond (7-4) beat North (4-7) for just the second time in nine meetings across six years and climbed into the top four.
The Roos were already reportedly willing to offer Martin at least $1 million a season over five years to win his services and his do-it-all, 38-possession, two-goal effort may force the Kangaroos to increase their offer.
Martin was a class above a turnover-strewn contest that demanded someone grab it by the scruff of the neck. He was ever-present, but the Tigers split the game open in a chaotic seven-minute period right after half-time.
Fifty-metre penalties against North defenders Scott Thompson then Robbie Tarrant delivered goals to Jack Riewoldt and Shaun Grigg that propelled Richmond 10 points in front after a half-time deficit.
It was a continuation of the Kangaroos shooting themselves in the foot, after the Ti- gers had 14 scoring shots – admittedly for only five goals – off their rival’s first-half turnovers.
Panic had set in by the time Riewoldt, who was involved in both earlier third-quarter goals, nabbed Tarrant in a tackle and slotted his second major.
All that was missing was Martin making a scoreboard impression. Another North giveback – this time off Todd Goldstein’s boot – saw the Tigers rush the ball forward to Martin, who burned off Luke McDonald and thumped through a 50m goal.
The difference would have been more if Martin’s teammates had converted two of his savvy passes, including an over-the-shoulder centring ball while hugging the boundary. The follow-up act soon after was predictable: a closerange Martin snap for maximum points.
North coach Brad Scott was non-committal mid-week on the prospect of tagging the game’s most coveted out-ofcontract star, then watched the Tiger bulldoze his way to 20 first-half touches.
Consoling Scott was the fact his team held a two-point edge at that stage.
Ed Vickers-Willis was sighted in Martin’s vicinity early, but Trent Dumont – North’s run-with specialist in Ben Jacobs’ absence – had the longest crack at football’s toughest job. NTH MELBOURNE V RICHMOND BEST 2.4 7.6 8.9 9.12 3.4 6.10 12.13 14.17 GOALS UMPIRES CROWD