Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin insists he isn't worried as Dustin Martin considers his futureLAUREN WOOD,
Herald Sun
29 August 2017RICHMOND skipper Trent Cotchin isn’t spooked by his close friend Dustin Martin’s New Zealand jaunt.
Martin, 26, is currently in Auckland with his manager Ralph Carr to visit his father, Shane, and to consider his playing future.
But Cotchin — who considers the star midfielder one of his closest friends — has maintained that he is not rattled by the fact that Martin remains uncommitted, or that he has travelled abroad to consider his options.
“I’m not worried,” Cotchin told the Herald Sun.
“It is what it is. As I’ve said in media, to him, and to others ... the reality is that he’s a contracted player until October at the Richmond footy club.
“I’m just enjoying being part of his show this year. It’s been an impressive one to watch and I’m really proud of the way he’s been so resilient with so much being spoken about, but also his ability to do the work that he does behind closed doors and then come out and perform on weekends.”
Martin today firmed to be the shortest-priced Brownlow Medal favourite ever, coming in from $1.20 to $1.12 with TAB following Sunday’s electric performance against St Kilda.
He has maintained all year that he would consider his contract at season’s end.
Martin’s final quarter goal against St Kilda on Sunday as the Tigers romped to a 44-point victory raised the Tiger faithful to a new level, and even Cotchin said he has been impressed by his friend’s ability to produce the sublime this season.
“The last quarter (on Sunday), in the first five minutes — there was a number of guys that did amazing things,” he said.
“But the cream does rise to the top and there’s been plenty of cream (from Dustin) this year.”
Richmond has offered the star — who will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season — a seven-year deal in the vicinity of $1.1 million per season, while North Melbourne has reportedly brought a seven-year, $1.5 million per year deal to the table.
Martin is expected to return to Melbourne before tomorrow night’s All-Australian team announcement function.
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