Ralph Carr hits out at The Footy Show after claims he’s holding out on new Richmond dealMichael Warner,
Herald Sun
July 11, 2017DUSTIN Martin’s manager has hit out at claims he is holding out on a deal with Richmond because of bitterness over a previous contract.
Ralph Carr said the claim aired on The Footy Show last Thursday night was “ridiculous”.
“I’ve been a manager for 25 years — do you really think I would let emotion get in the way of such an important deal?” Carr told the Herald Sun from Los Angeles.
“It’s just not true and Richmond Football Club knows it’s not true. Neil Balme has clarified that.”
Martin, 26, becomes eligible for free agency at the end of this season.
Carr said talks with the Tigers were continuing in good faith.
Richmond’s long-term, $1 million-a-season offer to Martin is already the biggest tabled in the club’s history.
Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale conceded two weeks ago that the time was “probably approaching” for Martin and his management to give the club an indication.
“We’re probably approaching that time where we’d like to get a sense of where their heads are at,” Gale told ABC radio.
“We do have to plan and we’ve got the salary cap and other players, so I guess we’re approaching that point.”
Up to six clubs including Essendon, North Melbourne and St Kilda have been linked to the 2016 Jack Dyer Medallist.
But Gale said Martin’s status as a restricted free agent meant the Tigers would have the option of matching a rival offer.
“The other thing is — he’s a restricted free agent,” Gale said.
“So we’ve always got the right to match any sort of offer. I guess we do have that in the background.
“But I’m fairly confident it won’t come to that. It’s not an ideal scenario and it’s probably uncomfortable for our fans who obviously love the guy.
“But all I can say is that I’m very confident in the people looking after it and I’m very confident in our position. I’m sure it will be resolved in due course.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/ralph-carr-hits-out-at-the-footy-show-after-claims-hes-holding-out-on-new-richmond-deal/news-story/beb5263adb584496bd56df9cf70d4814