Dustin Martin turns down Richmond's latest offer Jon Pierik
The Age
August 16, 2013 - 11:24PM Dustin Martin has rejected Richmond's most recent contract offer, demanding a "fair" deal be done otherwise he will consider his options.
It's understood that the Martin camp and the Tigers have a difference of opinion in terms of where the emerging midfielder sits in the pecking order of playing talent at the club, and the flow-on impact of what this has on him financially.
Martin is estimated to be on $450,000 this season, and is understood to be keen to push this to between $600,000 and $650,000. It's believed the Tigers have looked to the middle ground, offering about $500,000. The length of any deal is not in question.
On the eve of the club's first finals appearance in 12 years, Martin's preference is still to remain a Tiger. But after he rejected the Tigers' latest offer on Wednesday, those close to the goalkicking onballer insist it must be a ''fair'' deal and there are up to four clubs interested in trading for the 22-year-old.
Richmond's general manager of football, Dan Richardson, formerly one of the most astute player agents, said discussions were on-going. "We are still in discussions. We are confident he will be there next year," he said on Friday.
Earlier, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said he believed a deal was "pretty close" with Martin.
"Dustin is obviously a fantastic player, an important player in his fourth year," Hardwick said. "[He] just seems to get better every year so we think that deal will get done in the not too distant future."
Martin's manager Ralph Carr, a former Carlton director who played hardball in contract negotiations between Travis Cloke and Collingwood last season, is on holidays and was unavailable for comment.
The Tigers have little room to move as they face a salary-cap squeeze, having recently re-signed several players, including Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes, Sean Grigg and Daniel Jackson.
Emerging midfielder Reece Conca, 21, has also yet to agree to terms on a new contract. Hardwick said he also believed Conca would re-sign with the club "in the not too distant future".
Martin has enjoyed an excellent season, and close observers believe he would sit in the top five in the club's best and fairest. Despite the conjecture about his contract, he has remained focused and is happy and well liked at Punt Road.
Cotchin, Chris Newman, Brett Deledio and development coach Mark Williams have worked closely with the sometimes wayward Martin to help him deal with the disciplines expected of a professional athlete.
However, Cotchin has made it clear this year that financial sacrifice is required if the building Tigers are to enjoy sustainable success.
"Every player in the AFL would love to be paid as much as they possibly can, but the reality is there's a cap there for that reason. If you want to be part of successful clubs, then sometimes there's a little bit of sacrifice that needs to be made," he said.
"We're all about spending time together, building something and enjoying the whole ride together."
Riewoldt signed a three-year extension last month, rejecting a massive offer from Fremantle, while Cotchin, Grimes, Grigg, Rance and Jackson will remain at least until the end of 2015.
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