Gold Dusty in the north

Need for new marquee player may tempt Swans

SYDNEY would need to hand over Tom Papley and a firstround draft pick to prise Dustin Martin out of Richmond and lure him north to end his career, according to a retired list expert.

The Brownlow medallist is contracted to the Tigers until the end of 2024 but speculation continues over his future because of his fondness for the less intrusive Sydney lifestyle.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick shocked the football world on Tuesday when he said he would not hold Martin to his seven-year contract.

“Whatever Dustin’s decision is moving forward is up to Dustin and to be honest he has my blessing,” Hardwick said.

“What he’s given me, us, our fans, he has been incredible and whatever we get from here on in is a bonus.”

Martin spent time in Sydney this year while on personal leave from Richmond as he mourned his father Shane.

Any move north would likely see Martin end up at the Swans. Sydney insiders have been tight-lipped on a move.

It is understood cross-town rival Greater Western Sydney would be unlikely to enter the race for Martin’s services because of a tight salary cap situation and a list build that is in a different position to the Swans.

Former Collingwood recruiter Matthew Rendell said Martin would command a heavy price tag at the trade table, with the Tigers ultimately holding the upper hand.

“The first-round pick of Sydney might not be that great. It might be pick 10 at best,” Rendell said. “That’s why you’d have to throw a really good player in.

“If it was going to come to fruition and I was Richmond, my first port of call would be, ‘We’re taking your first rounder and Papley’.”

Papley is contracted with Sydney until the end of next season but he is a Victorian who has been linked to a move home.

Rival club recruiting bosses surveyed by News Corp said a top-10 pick in exchange for Martin could get the job done on its own given his age, without the need to add a player like Papley to the mix.

Such a deal would give Richmond a third top 20 pick in this year’s draft.

While he has been incredibly durable across his career, Martin turns 31 next month.

With Lance Franklin’s career coming towards an end, Sydney is believed to be desperate for another marquee player like Martin.

“I’ve been up in Sydney and sat in the crowd and the majority of that crowd goes to watch Buddy,” Rendell said.

“Dusty would be a massive drawcard. I think Buddy will go one more year but he’d be on a lot lower money and they could certainly back-end Dusty’s contract.

“They might think we’re a chance to win a flag with Dusty. He’s got a habit of it.”

On the current ladder order, Richmond already holds two top-20 picks in this year’s draft. The Tigers have their own first-round selection (currently pick 11) as well as North Melbourne’s second-round selection (currently pick 20).