MARTIN: 'IT'S A GREAT CLUB'Herald-Sun
24 May 2017RICHMOND midfielder Dustin Martin says the club has been a great support to him as he continues to deal with his father Shane being banned from Australia but he is in no rush to sign a new contract.
Shane Martin was booted back to his native New Zealand in March last year over his involvement with the Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang — one of the most high-profile victims of the Federal Government’s anti-bikie blitz.
In a video chat with close friend and Brownlow medallist Dane Swan for mobile phone app ‘Footy Live’, Martin said the Tigers had been incredibly supportive in allowing him to cross the Tasman for regular visits.
“It’s a great club and I’ve got a lot of close mates there and (I’m) really enjoying it,” Martin said.
“I probably went back (to New Zealand) three or four times last year. Obviously the old man’s stuck over there so he’s not having much fun so I get over there when I can. The club’s been great. I’ve been over there once (this year), that was probably a month or so ago for the weekend, and I’ll go over for the bye as well.”
Out-of-contract at the end of the season, Martin said he had enjoyed helping the Tigers to a few wins over the opening months of their campaign but would leave contract talks until the end of the year.
“It’s a unique position to be in, free agency,” Martin said.
“I’m happy the way I’m going at the moment and we’ll deal with that at the end of the season.”
It was reported on Monday that North Melbourne’s board has ticked off a six-year contract offer worth more than $1 million a season to lure the 25-year-old to Arden Street.
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