‘It’s on’: Swans ‘show interest’ as Richmond now ‘looking at life beyond Dusty'Fox Sports
July 6th, 2022 9:03 pmVeteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson believes a Dustin Martin move to Sydney “is on” with the Harbour City club considering a mega-trade for the Richmond superstar.
Earlier this week Nine’s Sam McClure reported there was “a very large chance” Martin would not be at Tigerland past this season.
On Wednesday night Wilson said she believes there has been a change at both Richmond and Sydney regarding the triple Norm Smith medallist’s future.
“I thought the talk about Sydney was a complete furphy. I’m now hearing that perhaps - it’s on. It’s certainly something that is being considered,” she said on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“Sydney have shown some interest. Not directly necessarily in Dustin Martin. And Dustin Martin, according to people at the club, just isn’t quite as engaged as he was in the past.
“He started the year with a broken heart, it was a shock loss at the end of last year ... and for the first time I think there are people at Richmond looking at life beyond Dustin Martin.”
Martin took personal leave earlier this season as he dealt with the death of his father Shane, who he was extremely close with, and has spent much of his free time in New South Wales.
He is owed a reported $2.6 million over the next two seasons which is a factor in the Tigers’ current thinking, as they weigh up whether they would ever let him go.
Foxfooty.com.au reported on Wednesday night the Tigers are among the key suitors for Giants midfielder Tim Taranto.
“There's a bit going on behind the scenes. Richmond are trying to keep Liam Baker, they’re looking at (Jacob) Hopper, (Tim) Taranto,” Wilson said.
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd suggested Martin’s exit would be "sad” for Richmond but not necessarily the worst thing for them on the field.
He pointed out it would allow them to free up a large amount of salary cap space, while he pointed to the risks for the Swans, even if they extended his deal to smooth out the high yearly salary numbers.
“It’d be a sad thing for people at Richmond, because wouldn’t you love Dustin Martin to be a one-club player, because of the champion he’s been for the club,” Lloyd said.
“But I think if it does happen, it’s not the worst thing for Richmond. Dustin’s just turned 31, he’s on $1.2m to $1.4m a season, that’s a lot of money at his age.
“It’s a big risk for the Sydney Swans, to be honest ... and he’d be going there on a three or four-year contract.”
Meanwhile Wilson also reported that Martin’s manager Ralph Carr had “offered” his services to North Melbourne to help their recruiting.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/richmond-tigers/afl-news-2022-dustin-martin-trade-to-sydney-swans-richmond-tigers-its-on-interest-from-swans-contract-deal/news-story/98dcb9d67c0ebfa2ee9b96ec4ffac29c
