Dustin Martin to Kangaroos: $2 million contract, Josh Kelly out, Brad Scott to New Zealand to meet Martin’s father Shane.Michael Randall,
Herald Sun
22 August 2017BE afraid, Richmond. Be very afraid. Josh Kelly appears increasingly likely to stay at GWS and that leaves North Melbourne with plenty of dough to throw at Dustin Martin.
The SuperFooty Podcast discuss the biggest fish in the AFL — Josh Kelly and Dustin Martin — and Mick Warner believes the GWS star is out of the picture for North Melbourne, leaving the Kangaroos with a giant $2 million war chest to throw at players including Martin.
“Josh Kelly is definitely out of the race to go (to North Melbourne), maybe anywhere, it sounds like he’s going to stay at the Giants, which means that North Melbourne have suddenly got $2 million,” Mick said.
“Why wouldn’t they just throw it at Dustin Martin and then why wouldn’t he look at that money?”
An annual wage of up to $1.5 million has been touted for the Brownlow Medal favourite.
Anthony Hudson said he suspected Martin would say, but believed he would be looking closely at the big offers.
Josh Kelly appears increasingly likely to stay at GWS. Picture: Phil Hillyard
Reports this morning suggesting North were preparing to fly Brad Scott to New Zealand to meet with Martin’s father Shane were this morning dismissed as totally “laughable” by the club.
Warner said he was in communication with the Kangaroos this morning and he says the club has dismissed the reports in The Australian that officials were to sit down with Shane this week in a bid to persuade Dusty to sign with the club.
Speculation remains rife over Martin’s future, with a number of clubs lining up to bid for the in-demand Tiger.
The Roos were hoping to lure both Martin and Kelly to the club this off-season.
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