Spida says ‘Dusty would put GWS back on the map’

THREE-TIME All Australian Peter “Spida” Everitt says Sydney would be a perfect landing spot for Dustin Martin to finish his career if he decided to escape the Melbourne fishbowl.

Everitt played 291 mostly exceptional games but he was always keen to finish his career in Sydney before moving to the Gold Coast to become a breakfast radio host.

He said if Martin was keen to escape he would quickly be welcomed by NSW fans.

Martin’s manager Ralph Carr has previously said that Martin, who has two years of his contract remaining at Richmond beyond this season, loves spending time in Sydney but has no knowledge of any plans to make a trade request there.

Greater Western Sydney chief executive David Matthews said this month many players moved north for lifestyle reasons, describing Martin as a “genuine superstar of our game” who the club had spoken to several years ago.

But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan made it clear on Friday that players were only able to access thirdparty or ambassadorial deals after they moved clubs, and not as part of any incentive to leave their existing clubs.

Everitt said he could see Martin playing in Sydney to finish off his career.

“Dusty would love it. He would be a driving force,” Everitt said.

“We know how many fans are passionate Swans fans and at GWS he would put them back on the map, absolutely.

“I think it would be a massive coup for any of those NSW teams to get him.

“They would love it, they would embrace you. Everyone is in good spirits there.

“I don’t want to recommend it to every player.

“People say footballers don’t read the papers or know what is happening.

“Of course we read the papers, we want to see what people are saying about us.

“But in Sydney you don’t get that, you get that step away.”

McLachlan told 3AW on Friday he believed Martin would stay at the Tigers, with Martin due another $2.5m over the final two seasons of his seven-year deal.

Sydney’s cap is tight, with the Swans due to negotiate with Lance Franklin on a pay cut on his salary of $900,000, and GWS already has too many inside midfielders.

So Martin might have to take a pay cut if he did want to be closer to family, with the triple Norm Smith medallist turning 31 next month.

The prospect of Franklin and Martin playing in the same forward line together would be a promoter’s dream but finding a trade deal that didn’t break the salary cap would be challenging.