Dustin Martin [merged]

[one-eyed]

Trent Cotchin reveals how close Dustin Martin came to joining Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast

‘There’s always that carrot that’s being dangled. We had conversations.’

Glenn Valencich and Steve Larkin
7news
1 November 2023

Richmond great Trent Cotchin has revealed how close Dustin Martin came to leaving the AFL club and joining ex-coach Damien Hardwick at the Gold Coast Suns.

The prospect of Martin heading north appeared alive in September as a post-season meeting with Hardwick in Queensland did nothing to dull the talk.

But it was eventually confirmed he would see out the final year of his contract with the Tigers to join an exclusive group of 300-gamers at the club.

“Look, Dustin’s going to stay at Richmond. I think personally, for my opinion, that is absolutely the right thing for him to do,” Hardwick told Channel 7’s Talking Finals.

“He’s going to stay at Richmond, which is an enormous positive for that footy club.

“Me, like 17 other coaches, would love to have him on my side, but the fact of the matter it’s great that he’s going to play his 300th game at the Richmond Football Club next year.”

Cotchin, who retired after a farewell game in Round 23 this year, has now opened up on his role in the will he, won’t he saga.

The ex-captain said he counselled Martin as the triple Norm Smith medallist seriously considered his future.

“There’s always that carrot that’s being dangled, particularly when someone you love and trust goes up there to coach the footy club,” Cotchin told Triple M radio on Wednesday.

“You know, he has every right to contemplate it. We had conversations around it.

“But he’s pretty passionate and knows that the club has still got some great years ahead of them, and he’s got some great footy ahead of him as well.

“He really does like the idea of making that 300 milestone (at Richmond) ... it would be pretty special for him to join that club.”

Martin, on 289 games, is set to join Kevin Bartlett, Jack Riewoldt, Cotchin, Shane Edwards, Francis Bourke and Jack Dyer as Richmond 300-gamers next season.

There has been no firm indication what Martin, who turns 33 midway through next season, will do in 2025 and beyond.

Hardwick’s comments opened the door to another round of speculation that he could finish his career at the Suns but Cotchin’s remarks have now suggested otherwise.

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/trent-cotchin-reveals-how-close-dustin-martin-came-to-joining-damien-hardwick-at-gold-coast--c-12399612

[one-eyed]

7news tonight had vision of Dusty getting an early start to preseason training and running laps at Punt Rd.

Go to 0:38 min mark:

https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne/status/1722160000880222261

 

[one-eyed]

Richmond set to open contract extension talks with superstar midfielder Dustin Martin​

Dustin Martin will complete his current contract at the end of next season and has been linked with a shift to the Gold Coast. But the Tigers are planning to keep him in yellow and black for life.

Michael Warner
HeraldSun
13 November 2023

Richmond is poised to open contract extension talks with superstar midfielder Dustin Martin.

The triple Norm Smith medallist will complete his current seven-year deal at the end of next season and has been linked to a shift to the Gold Coast Suns where former coach Damien Hardwick has taken charge.

But the Tigers are confident Martin is keen to play out his career at Punt Rd.

“Dustin is a great of our club and fully invested in helping us write the next chapter – clearly we will have discussions with his management in the not too distant future,” Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said.

“2024 will be a really exciting year for both the club and himself. His 300th game will be a great occasion but knowing Dustin he will be far more focused on the regeneration of this team under (new coach) Adem Yze.

“He played some exceptional football last season. Change creates energy and I have no doubt Dustin feels that – he is a really important and valued part of our club.”

Martin, 32, finished runner-up in Richmond’s best-and-fairest this season behind Greater Western Sydney recruit Tim Taranto and is just 11 matches shy of the 300-game milestone.

He signed a monster seven-year, $9 million deal on the eve of the 2017 finals before leading the Tigers to three flags in four years.
​
Just six players – Kevin Bartlett, Jack Dyer, Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin, Francis Bourke and Shane Edwards – have played 300 or more games for the Tigers.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-set-to-open-contract-extension-talks-with-superstar-midfielder-dustin-martin/news-story/2200753cb94ed983500f157a6a302672

[one-eyed]

Tigers make Dusty contract play amid AFL trade rumour that won’t go away

Fox Sports
November 14th, 2023

Despite Dustin Martin being linked with a reunion with Damien Hardwick to finish his career at the Gold Coast Suns, Richmond is set to open contract talks with the triple Norm Smith medallist in hopes of making him a Tiger a life.

Martin’s current lucrative seven-year, $9 million deal signed with Richmond in 2017 is due to expire at the end of next season, when he can become an unrestricted free agent.

Speculation has long swirled about the 32-year old’s next move, particularly after Hardwick’s mid-season departure from Punt Road, while the pair were spotted together on the Gold Coast.

The three-time premiership coach and Martin started their careers alongside each other at Richmond in 2010 and played crucial roles in the club’s three flag triumphs in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

It comes ahead of Martin’s 300th game in 2024 under new coach Adem Yze as a new era kicks off at Tigerland.

Tigers CEO Brendon Gale confirmed the club would kick off talks with Martin’s management, Ralph Carr from RCM SPORT, imminently regarding a new deal for 2025.

“Dustin is a great of our club and fully invested in helping us write the next chapter – clearly we will have discussions with his management in the not too distant future,” Gale said, per The Herald Sun.

“2024 will be a really exciting year for both the club and himself. His 300th game will be a great occasion but knowing Dustin he will be far more focused on the regeneration of this team under (new coach) Adem Yze.

“He played some exceptional football last season. Change creates energy and I have no doubt Dustin feels that – he is a really important and valued part of our club.”

Martin is coming off a strong 2023 campaign, averaging 23.6 disposals and 1.1 goals from 20 games to finish runner-up in the Tigers’ best and fairest and make the 4422-man All-Australian squad.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/richmond-tigers/afl-2023-dustin-martin-contract-richmond-tigers-move-to-gold-coast-suns-reunion-with-damien-hardwick-latest-news/news-story/dcd83cf7270055acbdcb2127caea61ec

[one-eyed]

“SOMEWHAT OF A SURPRISE”: CORNES REACTS TO DUSTIN MARTIN CONTRACT REPORTS

By Lachlan Geleit
SEN
14 November 2023

Richmond are set to open contract talks with three-time Norm Smith Medallist Dustin Martin.

The seven-year mega-deal signed by the superstar in 2017 is set to expire at the end of the 2024 season, but the Tigers are getting on the front foot to tie the 32-year-old to the club for life.

While the midfielder has been linked to a move north to join ex-coach Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast, Richmond CEO Brendon Gale told the Herald Sun that the club will begin discussions with Martin’s management about 2025 and beyond shortly.

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes was a huge fan of Martin’s 2024 season but he believes talks should be put on ice until mid-year.

After Richmond finished 13th in 2023, Cornes can’t see Martin playing in Richmond’s next premiership and he’s unsure whether the midfielder will be motivated playing in a team that may not taste success in the next few years.

“Richmond are poised to open up contract extension talks with superstar midfielder Dustin Martin who had a great year last year,” Cornes said on SEN Sportsday.

“It is somewhat of a surprise (because of reports linking him to Gold Coast).

“I think it's just a bit early. It's just a bit early for both (club and player).

“If I was Dustin Martin, I'd just be happy to wait perhaps till mid-year.

“I don't know him, but he feels like the player who's not going to be motivated playing in a team that's losing a lot and that's where I think Richmond are going to be.

“I could be completely wrong on that … but that's why I would wait.”

While Cornes doesn’t think signing Martin long-term is a risk for Richmond, he pondered whether the club could benefit from the superstar departing.

Even though the side would no doubt be worse on-field immediately following a departure, Cornes pondered whether the club could reset with some cap space and draft picks heading their way in a trade.

“For Richmond, I'd wait as well. I don't think there's much risk in going again with Dustin Martin. But what if you could get a good draft pick for him?” Cornes asked.

“What if you could clear up some space? What if you did need a bit of a reset?

“It might be the ideal time to send Dustin Martin off after 300 games.

“I just think to do it now before the season has started would be a bit premature.

“I'm on the fence here. I'm not calling it one way or the other than to say I’d just put it on the back burner if I was Dustin and I'd put it on the back burner perhaps until around Round 11 or 12 if I were the Tigers.”

Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy was fully in support of Richmond’s push to re-sign their man and he hopes Martin retires a one-club legend.

“I don't see a win for the Tigers in getting rid of Dustin,” Healy said.

“I'm with Brendon Gale on this. Sign him up, make him a long-term (offer).

“There's no Richmond side that's better to watch than one that's got Dustin Martin in it.”

Martin has played 289 games for the Tigers. He averaged 23.6 disposals and 1.1 goals from 20 games in the 2023 season.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/11/14/somewhat-of-a-surprise-cornes-reacts-to-dustin-martin-contract-reports/

[Gracie]

What Cornes and the other commentators are seemingly unaware of is the number of kids we have that are nearing the ready to go mark.

Yes I acknowledge that all of them have questions on their abilities and the easiest thing is to be negative. 2024 for mine is going to be an exciting year, new coach, new systems and kids stepping up. And the finishing ladder position for 2024 is not as important as finding out which of the kids will be long term players for us.

[one-eyed]

Gold Coast boss hints at potential Dustin Martin move

Mitch Keating
zerohanger.com
15 November 2023

Gold Coast Suns CEO Mark Evans has hinted the club will be prepared to make a move for 2024 free agent Dustin Martin if he remains unsigned late into next year.

Martin was continuously tied to the Carrara club over the course of this season, with speculation surrounding the triple Norm Smith Medal winner increasing following the appointment of ex-Tigers coach and Martin's close mentor Damien Hardwick as the Suns' replacement for the departed Stuart Dew.

The Richmond superstar's lucrative seven-year deal is set to expire in 2024, making Martin an unrestricted free at the conclusion of his 15th campaign at Punt Road.

Martin had turned down the potential option to head north and reunite with Hardwick for the latter's first year at the helm of the Suns, instead deciding to see out the final term of his deal and likely become the next Tiger to reach the 300-game mark in the yellow and black.

Gold Coast will be ready to make their move next year if Martin doesn't sign an extension with Richmond however, with Evans hoping the champion Tiger "likes playing in Darwin".

"I guess it's been speculated because of his relationship with Damien Hardwick and I know he's out of contract at the end of [next] year," Evans said at the press announcement of the club's new playing deal in the Northern Territory on Monday.

"If no contract is done with Richmond, that obviously means there's a chance to talk with him.

"Hopefully he likes playing in Darwin."

The Tigers themselves are preparing their own move to have Martin on their books for 2025, with their own CEO in Brendon Gale hoping an extension can be struck "in the not too distant future".

Gale told News Corp of his hopes that Martin sees himself as a one-club player following a strong 2023 season where he earned a spot in the All-Australian squad.

"Dustin is a great of our club and fully invested in helping us write the next chapter – clearly we will have discussions with his management in the not too distant future," Gale told the publication.

"He played some exceptional football last season. Change creates energy and I have no doubt Dustin feels that – he is a really important and valued part of our club."

Should Martin play a further 11 games for Richmond next year, he'll become the seventh Tiger to play 300 matches for the club, following premiership teammates Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt in doing so.

https://www.zerohanger.com/gold-coast-boss-hints-at-potential-dustin-martin-move-145616/

[one-eyed]

'A lot of footy left' in Dusty ahead of 2024 season

Richmond are hopeful superstar Dustin Martin will extend his time with the Tigers beyond the end of 2024.

By Dejan Kalinic
AFL Media
16 November 2023

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has "a lot of footy left in him" and the Tigers are hopeful of extending his deal.

A three-time premiership winner, Brownlow medallist and four-time All-Australian, Martin, 32, is out of contract at the end of 2024.

But the Tigers are hoping to extend the gun's stay beyond next year.

"There'll be conversations that Blair (Hartley, Richmond General Manager- Football Talent) would be already having with his management group about what he wants to do short- and long-term," Richmond National Recruiting Manager Matthew Clarke told AFL.com.au's Gettable Draft Countdown on Thursday.

"Dustin's a fantastic preparer of his own body so he's still got a lot of footy left in him so it's not like he's going to come back and maybe look to be one and done.

"He's got a really good understanding of what he needs to do to get fit and he prepares as well as anybody so conversations will be had there for sure about hopefully extending his time with us."

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/1466080/a-lot-of-footy-left-in-dusty-ahead-of-2024-season

[one-eyed]

If Dusty plays every game, his 300th will be against Essendon, Dreamtime game. What an occasion that will be! #GoTiges

https://twitter.com/JamesBarbante/status/1725055980977946649

[WilliamPowell]

..'We hope he's a Richmond man forever': Contract call in Dusty's hands

By AAP
6 hrs ago

Adem Yze won't force a contract decision out of Richmond star Dustin Martin, whose future remains uncertain entering the final year of his existing deal

NEW RICHMOND coach Adem Yze wants to create an environment that will encourage superstar Dustin Martin to commit the rest of his playing career to the club.

Martin is approaching the final season of his monster seven-year contract with the Tigers as former Hawthorn and Melbourne assistant Yze takes the reins for his first season as senior coach.

The 32-year-old triple-premiership hero is on track to next season become the seventh player in Richmond history to reach the 300-game milestone.

But his playing future beyond 2024 remains a subject of speculation, which ramped up in recent months when it became clear former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick would take over at Gold Coast.

Tigers CEO Brendon Gale revealed this month the club will soon look to open negotiations with Martin's management over a new deal, though Yze said he won't force the process.

"We want Dusty to be happy and we want him to enjoy his footy," Yze told reporters on Wednesday.

Dustin Martin looks on after the R19 match between Richmond and Hawthorn at the MCG on July 22, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos
"We want him to train well and play well.

"I'm not going to put pressure on a timeline of him making that decision.

"It's a big decision for him. I just hope that he gets the right feeling about not only myself but our coaching staff."

Arguably Richmond's greatest-ever player, Martin has returned for pre-season training in good shape and went through his paces with teammates at Punt Road on Wednesday.

He has 289 games under his belt and is set to join retired former teammates and fellow premiership stars Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin and Shane Edwards in the 300-game club.

Martin, who made his debut in 2010, could feasibly move into third place on the Tigers' all-time games played list next year behind Riewoldt (347) and record-holder Kevin Bartlett (403).

Jack Dyer and Francis Bourke have also racked up a triple century for the club.

"He's an amazing Richmond person and we hope he's a Richmond man forever," Yze said.

"That's going to be his decision but my job is to give him the environment that he enjoys and knows that he can keep improving (here)."


https://www.afl.com.au/news/1068660/we-hope-hes-a-richmond-man-forever-contract-call-in-dustin-martins-hands