TIGERS’ SECRET WEAPON REVEALED: HOW A MAN ON THE INSIDE HELPED RICHMOND LAND DUSTY
By Seb Mottram
SEN
13 June 2024Former Richmond recruiting manager Francis Jackson, the man credited with drafting Dustin Martin to Punt Road, has revealed the Tigers were keeping tabs onthe now-superstar through an inside man before the draft.
Martin was drafted with pick three back in 2009 after starring as a junior for the Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country. It’s one of the great drafting decisions, given Martin will play game no.300 to continue an illustrious career that has famously included three premierships and three Norm Smith Medals.
Jackson revealed Richmond knocked back Sydney’s offer of picks six and 14 because they were so set on taking Martin at pick three, despite the Swans’ proposition being one they would “normally” consider.
“We were never going to lose that pick, with our history and knowledge of Dustin… we followed him for 15 months before we drafted him,” Jackson told SEN’s The Run Home.
He added: “(Sydney's offer) was very quickly knocked on the head.”
However, drafting Martin meant ensuring the teenager wasn’t taken by Melbourne, who had the first two picks of the National Draft that year.
“Funnily enough, after I saw him that fourth time… I actually organized a manager for him, I met his father and Dusty and we organized a manager, just so they would keep tabs on it and it was a bit advantageous to us because they would let us know what was happening with the other clubs and their desire to pick Dusty.
“That was all organized… this was 15 months before he was eligible. I do remember a phone call from his manager… the draft I think was Thursday and on the weekend I got a phone call from his manager just saying, ‘I’m pretty sure Melbourne are going to take Tom Scully and Jack Trengove one and two’, who are both terrific players.
“That left us with Dustin.”
A huge fan of Martin before he ever stepped foot into Tigerland, even Jackson couldn’t envisage his draft selection would forever change the fortunes of the Richmond Football Club.
“I think I was on record in saying we’ve recruited a Brownlow Medallist, I did say that to a couple of people,” Jackson admitted.
“I don’t suppose ever in your wildest dreams you’d think he could win three Norm Smiths. It’s incredible.”
Of all the players taken in Martin’s National Draft, Gary Rohan (pick six), Jake Melksham (pick 10), Nat Fyfe (pick 20), Mitch Duncan (pick 28), Jack Gunston (pick 29), Max Gawn (pick 34), Sam Reid (pick 38) and Taylor Duryea (pick 69) are the only ones still in the AFL.
Martin will become just the seventh Tiger in Richmond’s history to play 300 games when he laces up the boots to take on Hawthorn on Saturday, with the four-time All-Australian looking to play in his first win of 2024.
Listen to Jackson discuss drafting Martin and his memories of the time below:https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/06/13/tigers-secret-weapon-revealed-how-a-man-on-the-inside-helped-richmond-land/
