DONE AND DUSTED
Martin to stay with Richmond
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.
The Kangaroos aggressively targeted the raging Brownlow Medal favourite, offering him almost $11 million to exercise his free agency options. 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 last night.
“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.’’
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 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.
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 around $3 million, agreeing to a deal of around $8 million to stay at Punt Rd until the end of the 2024 season.
Richmond’s offer of $1.1m a year for seven seasons was marginally increased to help get Martin across the line.
It is understood Richmond’s initial offer was around $800,000 and last night’s deal follows months of protracted negotiations between club chiefs and Martin’s high-profile manager, Ralph Carr.