Dustin Martin circus threatening to roll out of controlCaroline Wilson
The Age
31 August 2017The near certainty that Dustin Martin will remain at Richmond must surely become a formality this week before the circus that came to town rolls out of control.
Even allowing for Martin's unusual family circumstances and the symbiotic relationship with his maverick manager Ralph Carr, the turn of events as Richmond head towards a tantalising finals series is starting to look a little crazy.
The trip to New Zealand to see his father Shane was a given because of the pre-finals bye and no one was surprised that the media would glean the 26-year-old champion's flight details. And it was highly predictable that new last-minute interest from other clubs would publicly emerge.
But the men-in-black bodyguards and the man in the cap directing traffic from behind took the Martin saga to a new level. Surely even Carr would feel a little uncomfortable that coach Damien Hardwick and captain Trent Cotchin on Wednesday opened the Tigers' finals account in public terms and the only sound bites that made the news involved "The Decision".
Much has been made of how well Martin and the Tigers have handled his contractual stand-off. He is again wearing an All-Australian blazer, has never played better and is the hotter-than-hot Brownlow favourite. He has been mighty. And Richmond officials have demonstrated the patience of Jobe as Martin has tested the market.
Reluctant to speak privately let alone publicly for fear of influencing Martin's choice, one can only imagine how tough it has been at times to stay silent.
But it doesn't seem right that this story should punctuate the finals as it has the season. And Carr's indication that a decision would be made by the end of the week suggests it won't. The Martin camp would surely not make an announcement he was leaving Richmond on the eve of the finals.
Heavy speculation that the camp has sold his exclusive post-decision interview has escalated over recent days but at Channel Nine The Footy Show bosses late on Wednesday insisted they had no knowledge of such a deal. Surely in any event Martin would let his teammates know first.
Richmond football chief Neil Balme has publicly slammed the AFL during the season blaming head office for giving the green light to free agency and therefore setting up situations such as this one. You could also say this strange new bye has created opportunities for off-field sideshows like this Martin situation.
In the case of free agency it is true the clubs opposed it and were given no say in its introduction, only input into the accompanying procedures. The commission ticked it off without any meaningful consultation with its clubs.
But each individual case has set its own examples. Phil Davis told the truth and made Greater Western Sydney look foolish. Balme strode into Adelaide with his former colleagues Chris Scott, Joel Selwood and Jimmy Bartel to interview the soon-to-be out-of-contract Travis Boak and Boak ultimately stayed and was one pivotal cog in the about-turn for Port Adelaide. Gary Ablett went for money and opportunity and seems to have regretted it.
Patrick Dangerfield, like Martin, performed outstandingly for Adelaide in his final season and confided to his football boss before the finals he was leaving for lifestyle reasons. Lance Franklin's manager made it clear to Hawthorn that the champion would most likely leave and the pragmatic Hawks withdrew their new contract offer late in the season winning the premiership along the way.
But nothing at Richmond suggests this will be Martin's final season and even though the money is massive from North and coach Brad Scott has recommitted you cannot imagine him or his leadership group that met Martin could have sold a future any brighter than the one that beckons at Tigerland. And the Tigers have sold a vision that money cannot buy but will prove ultimately profitable at the end of the day.
Despite commentary to the contrary, you wouldn't begrudge Martin should he negotiate a media deal to discuss his decision. But if he is staying at Richmond and we predict he will he must end the speculation before the weekend.
Richmond and Martin have travelled different roads but are now on a trajectory. And even allowing for his brilliance in 2017 and his significant role in his club's success it would be wrong to create a detour now, let alone an obstacle, given how far the club and its star player have come.
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