Dustin Martin will be welcome back at Richmond Jon Ralph
From: Herald Sun
September 22, 2013 7:01PMRICHMOND would welcome Dustin Martin back into Punt Rd after a positive meeting with coach Damien Hardwick over a beer on Friday.
The move to sound out Greater Western Sydney saw his manager Ralph Carr roundly criticised and another prospective home removed from the table.
Only Brisbane remains as a potential suitor, and even the Lions are an extreme long shot given they do not have a coach and would be unlikely to pay him $600,000 a year.
Martin and Hardwick met in St Kilda on Friday afternoon, where the Tigers coach reinforced to Martin just how valuable a player he is to Richmond.
They will work towards trying to seal a deal for Martin this week.
Forward Aaron Edwards has emerged as an unlikely mentor and quasi-minder for Martin, who at one stage lived with captain Trent Cotchin.
Edwards is no stranger to controversies, but has been helping close friend Martin to get through this difficult period and working on his off-field habits and behaviours.
But while Hardwick and Martin have an extremely strong relationship, the fourth-year Tiger must still decide to re-engage in contract negotiations.
It has been confirmed that the Tigers have taken the two-year million dollar contract off the table given the breakdown in negotiation after four months.
But there are still varying reports about whether the Tigers will reduce that offer if and when Martin decides to come back to the negotiating table.
Tigers sources said the Reece Conca and Martin contracts were not linked in any way, so Conca’s signing on a three-year deal should not affect Martin’s price.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/dustin-martin-will-be-welcome-back-at-richmond/story-fndv8t7m-1226724710997
