Richmond champion Dustin Martin a survivor who could thrive at other clubs, says former Tiger Jake KingCaroline Wilson
The Age
11 April 2017Dustin Martin's friend and former teammate Jake King has signalled a warning to Richmond that the explosive Tigers star would no longer be overwhelmed at the prospect of moving clubs.
With the 25-year-old's market value rising exponentially with each best-afield performance, King believes his old club will be forced to soon revisit their pre-season offer, estimated at $4 million to $4.5 million over five years.
And contrary to popular opinion, said King, Martin would now adapt to life away from Tigerland, having reached a new level of maturity since being forced to cope without his father Shane, who was last year deported to New Zealand.
"If you had said to me even one year ago that Dusty would do well away from the Tigers," said the Richmond 107-gamer who retired at the end of 2014, "I would have had my doubts. But I think a lot has happened in the past 12 months. He's had to learn to live without his best mate.
"When your best mate leaves you, you either fall in a heap or you rise to the occasion and this, for him, has given him no other choice but to rise to the occasion. I hope he stays but it's going to be a tough one."
Martin led Richmond across the line for the club's third straight win at the MCG with another best-afield performance against West Coast on Saturday.
He has again told club bosses he wants to concentrate on football and has shown no desire to reach a deal, although Tigers football talent boss Daniel Richardson last week met Martin's manager, Ralph Carr and remains in regular touch with Martin's off-field camp.
Martin, along with Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe, remains the hottest out-of-contract property in the AFL and has attracted strong interest from North Melbourne, St Kilda and, reportedly, Adelaide and Hawthorn. Carr has also made contact with a number of non-Victorian clubs.
"The thing about Dusty, even more than great champions like Ablett and Judd," observed King, "is that he can win a game off his own boot just by moving forward. And football has become a release valve for him because for two hours he doesn't have to think about the issues with his dad."
The Tigers cleared Martin to fly to New Zealand to visit father Shane over the nine-day break between rounds two and three despite him suffering a cracked cheekbone.
Shane Martin was deported by the Federal Government last March due to his role with the Rebels' motorcycle gang.The club sees the father-son relationship as pivotal to Martin's ultimate decision regarding his playing future.
"His leadership and the way it has improved and the way he has learnt to adapt has just impressed me so much," said King. "He has matured so much. He used to take a lot of things to heart, but he rises above that now.
"He's a leader in the making and when you see him around the club, he's always working with the younger players or chatting to them or helping them.
"The sad part for Richmond is he might realise he can play footy somewhere else if the offer is there."
A free agent at the end of 2017, the reigning Jack Dyer medallist is averaging 32.7 disposals and is also at career best in contested possessions, clearances, inside-50s, goals, scoring accuracy and score assists.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richmond-champion-dustin-martin-a-survivor-who-could-thrive-at-other-clubs-says-former-tiger-jake-king-20170410-gvhxzz.html
