Dusty sticks with Tigers following Roos snub
NORTH Melbourne remains “cashed up” with a multimillion-dollar war chest, but won’t be rushed in its pursuit of the best talent in the AFL after Dustin Martin last night agreed to stay with Richmond.
Kangaroos aggressively targeted the raging Brownlow Medal favourite, offering him almost $11 million.
But after a long campaign in wooing the 26-year-old, 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.
“We are talking about a potential Brownlow medallist, a multiple All-Australian, bestand-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 – as well as remaining “open-minded” about looming trade periods.
“We want to add elite talent ... and we will look at Plan B and C, if we need to get to that,” Joyce said.
The Tigers fought back against the massive North Melbourne play with late financial sweeteners.
Martin has sacrificed around $3 million, agreeing to a deal of around $8 million to stay at Punt Rd until the end of the 2024 season.