Dustin Martin’s hot on-field form a problem for Richmond’s list management departmentJAY CLARK,
Herald Sun
April 13, 2017 AS DUSTIN Martin torched West Coast’s midfield on Saturday, a pocket of Richmond fans sitting in the Southern Stand wing began a mini-chant.
“Pay the man,” they shouted. “Pay the man.”
By the second term, Martin had almost as many clearances as the Eagles combined, and was continuing to revel in a three-week purple patch which has redefined the tattooed superstar as one of the top-three players in the game.
He started the season at No.20 in Mark Robinson’s Top 50, but according to Champion Data, has averaged the most rankings points per game, ahead of superstar Cat Patrick Dangerfield and Port Adelaide onballer Ollie Wines.
Martin’s average 741m gained a game is currently the best-ever recorded.
And as Martin kicked his second goal on Saturday, and celebrated with another defiant fist pump, we had all forgotten he had a crack in his jaw.
But as spectacular as Martin’s form has been, it is a double-edge sword for Richmond’s list management staff. As the fans in the bottom-tier of the MCG noted, every trademark fend-off, every running bounce, and booming post-high goal will cost Richmond.
Their offer is around the $850,000 a year mark, which sounded spot on a month ago. But the dilemma now is whether his market value has just tipped over into the seven-figure territory.
North Melbourne champion Wayne Carey was blunt about Richmond’s next move.
“He’s worth what someone is willing to pay,” Carey said on Triple M.
“He’s been offered more at two other clubs than Richmond have already offered him.
“So they’re going to have to come up to that level, and my understanding is that is $1 million (a year).”
CHANGING GEARS2017 - Defensive half possessions: 39 per cent. Forward half possessions: 61 per cent
2016 - Defensive half possessions: 60 per cent. Forward half possessions: 40 per cent
Dustin Martin's disposal heat maps from 2017 and 2016Including a 20 per cent increase in the salary cap, Martin could become a $1.2 million man.
Teammate Shaun Grigg said the topic is a source of humour among the playing group.
“I sort of get into him and say ‘hurry up and get it done’, because a few of us are out of contract and we’ve got a family to feed,” Grigg said.
List managers are watching this interest.
Dangerfield is playing for much less.
One list chief said Richmond’s hand might be forced to up the ante.
“They would be hoping he re-signed at their original offer, considering everything the club has done for him, but it’s a tough one.”
Whatever the price tag is, the hype surrounding Martin’s form and situation is clearly not distracting the man himself, after switching intro more of a midfield-forward role.
The time he has spent in the forward half of the ground has risen from 40 per cent last year to 61 per cent this season.
DUST STUNNINGDUSTIN MARTIN 2016 2017SuperCoach points 108 144
Disposals 31 33
Contested possessions 13 16
Uncontested possessions 18 16
Clearances 5 8
Metres gained 464 741
Inside 50s 5 6
Goals 0.4 2.7
Score involvements 6 10
(Source: Champion Data)Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury said this was where the linebreaker was clearly most effective.
“You were happy for him to do what he wants in the back half of the ground and getting around the back (of a teammate) and getting a handball, and kicking backwards or sideways,” Pendlebury said.
“Because along with Dangerfield and Fyfe, he (Martin) is one of the best centre-forward players in the game.
“If he is within 60m or 70m (of goal) one-on one, I don’t think there’s too many defenders that can handle that.”
RUNNING MEN: Top average metres gained in a season1. Dustin Martin 741 (2017)2. Zach Merrett 661 (2017)
3. Patrick Dangerfield 620 (2016)
4. Nathan Jones 598 (2017)
5. Gary Ablett 595 (2012)
BALL MAGNETS: 2017 average rankings points
1. Dustin Martin 1442. Marc Murphy 142
3. Patrick Dangerfield 139
4. Nick Riewoldt 133
5. Marcus Bontempelli 131
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/dustin-martins-hot-onfield-form-a-problem-for-richmonds-list-management-department/news-story/f5a450792c1ea6c5942253a9c14d7f3f
