Tiger in the eye of rival

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says rival clubs would be “crazy” if they weren’t trying to poach his star midfielder, Dustin Martin.

Hardwick yesterday was confident a deal would be reached with free agent Martin, but was unconcerned that Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell flagged the Dons’ interest on Wednesday and by North Melbourne’s $1 million bid to win Martin’s services.

“Dustin’s an outstanding player so he’s going to create this sort of attention,” Hardwick said.

“It’s just part and parcel of the industry we’re in. He’s always going to get linked (with other clubs). In the same situation we are reasonably pleased with where (contract negotiations) are at.

“He has been a good player for us for a long period of time and any club that is not speaking to him is crazy.”

No deal is expected to be reached in the short-term as Martin weighs up his options.