Dusty is Danger's equal, so show him the moneyWayne Carey
The Age
13 April 2017After three rounds, Dustin Martin sits comfortably alongside Patrick Dangerfield as the most explosive weapon in the game.
While Danger bursts through packs with power and speed, Martin does it with sheer force.
This time last year I wrote about Dusty maturing right before our eyes, both as a person and as a footballer, but in 2017 he's taken his game to a whole new level. That's despite the heavy scrutiny that comes with being out of contract.
Many will remember his last round of talks, when Martin looked elsewhere and came back with his tail between his legs. But now the tide has turned.
The challenges he's faced on his football journey have been well documented and Richmond has certainly supported him.
But while the Tigers would rightly consider themselves a big part of Dusty's development, it's time for them to pay him what he's worth.
That figure is growing by the week, but right now I have no doubt it is at least $1 million a season.
Martin finished runner-up in the Tigers best and fairest in 2015 before winning it last year, and if he maintains his form he'll not only take home back-to-back Jack Dyer Medals, but might also claim the Brownlow.
Already he probably has nine votes. At worst seven or eight.
Last year Martin kicked nine goals for the entire season. This year he's booted eight in just three matches after being unleashed in the Tigers forward line.
While Dusty became something of an accumulator towards the end of last year, he's since proven to be one of the most damaging players forward of centre.
One on one he's almost unbeatable and Richmond coach Damien Hardwick deserves credit for having the courage to play him inside 50 for longer periods.
The addition of Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy has allowed the Tigers to be more flexible, while the likes of Daniel Rioli, Dan Butler and Jason Castagna have also played a vital role in keeping the ball locked in that dangerous area being patrolled by the number four.
But that's not to say Martin isn't still having a massive impact in the midfield.
His stoppage work on the weekend was incredible, and at one stage he had as many clearances as the entire West Coast team combined. He'd finish with 15 in total, on a day that was all about gaining metres.
Martin is on track to smash the existing record, averaging 741 metres gained per match.
It will be fascinating to see if he can maintain those standards over the next 14-15 weeks, particularly if he remains unsigned.
The longer it drags on, the more likely it generally seems a player is leaving. There are many factors Dustin and his management will be grappling with and while footballers should never make a decision on money alone, this will be the contract that sets up him for life.
At 25, and 26 before season's end, he's at the peak of his powers. A four to five year deal will take Martin into his 30s and clearly then you have much less bargaining power. It means this is most definitely 'the one'.
But at the same time, Richmond winning games will probably be a far bigger carrot than an extra $100-200,000 in the bank.
While someone like Joel Selwood has played finals just about his entire career, for footballers, generally, there are more downs than ups.
Therefore, does Dusty really want to go chasing more money at a club that might be a long way from contention?
Gary Ablett would never have thought his time at the Gold Coast would end up like it has, even if he has been set up financially.
I think he truly believed the Suns could impact the competition in years three, four and five, but in football there are no guarantees.
Ultimately the club is bigger than any individual and most teams will generally think they're owed something by the players they've drafted and developed.
But in today's world of free agency, things have changed. Footy is a business now, and we regularly have champion players being told to move clubs or retire. In turn loyalty is perhaps not what it once was. At the end of the day, your time in the game is short.
While Dustin Martin is yet to deliver Richmond a premiership, I think he owes them nothing. And if they want to keep him in yellow and black, it's time he's paid as the superstar he has become.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richmond-tigers-should-pay-dustin-martin-like-the-superstar-he-has-become-20170413-gvk4b9.html
