North Melbourne set to offer Dustin Martin at least $1 million a season (Age)

[one-eyed]

Dustin Martin contract: Richmond star free agency

Michael Warner,
Herald Sun
May 23, 2017 9:17am


RICHMOND president Peggy O’Neal says the Tigers have no issue with Dustin Martin or his manager exploring free agency options.

O’Neal said the club would not be imposing a deadline on the superstar midfielder to make a decision on his future.

A number of rival clubs, including North Melbourne, have expressed interest in luring Martin out of Punt Rd at the end of this season.

Martin, 25, is managed by music industry stalwart Ralph Carr and has put off contract talks with the Tigers until the end of the season.

Asked for an update yesterday, Carr said: “I’ve got no comment in the terrible fright that I might be misquoted”.
Dustin Martin said he will make a decision at the end of the season

Martin could command more than $1 million a year on the open market but is considered likely to stay at Punt Rd if the price is right.

The powerful, goalkicking midfielder will earn about $630,000 this season.

In a Q & A with Richmond members to be published on the club website this afternoon, O’Neal says: “We have been quite clear that we are comfortable with Dustin and his management taking the time they need to make a decision on his future.

“The dealings throughout this process have been professional on both sides and the communications between the club and his manager Ralph Carr have been constructive.

“Free agency rules have changed the football landscape enormously. As a result, there is always significant speculation around player movement, particularly high-profile players.

“It is something that we have to get used to as uncomfortable as that can be.

“We have repeatedly said that we want Dustin to be a part of our club long-term and that is the outcome we are working towards. We remain confident that will be the case but, equally, we haven’t put any deadline on reaching an agreement.”

Martin finished third in last year’s Brownlow and won the Jack Dyer Medal as the Tigers’ best and fairest.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/richmond-have-no-issue-with-dustin-martin-exploring-free-agency-options/news-story/5d368675ffa4b0357c26c2d23fb70973

[one-eyed]

Brad Scott refuses to be drawn on the likelihood of North Melbourne luring Richmond star Dustin Martin

KATE SALEMME,
Herald Sun
23 May 2017

BRAD Scott has refused to be drawn on the likelihood of North Melbourne luring Richmond star Dustin Martin to Arden St as a free agent at the end of the season.

Martin is out of contract and in no rush to sign a new deal with the Tigers, with the Kangaroos among a number of clubs expressing interest in the star midfielder.

Reports emerged on Tuesday North Melbourne’s list management team had been given the green light to offer Martin a contract in a bid to lure him away from Punt Rd.

But Scott wouldn’t comment on his club’s chances of securing Martin’s services from next season.

“It’s a complete hypothetical,” Scott said. “I understand the speculation and the interest in it but I think it’s a little unsavoury for us to be talking directly about players who are contracted to other clubs right at the moment.

“We can’t control the speculation in the media but we respect and understand the interest in it.

“But I’m not going to provide a running commentary on players who are currently contracted to other clubs.”

Richmond president Peggy O’Neal said on Tuesday the Tigers have no issue with Martin exploring his free agency options.

The Kangaroos are poised to be aggressive in during the free agency and trade period this season after releasing veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito and Nick Dal Santo last year.

North Melbourne has also been linked to GWS midfielder Josh Kelly, with a reported mega nine-year deal tabled to the Giants young gun.

“We’re always looking to improve,” Scott told AFL360. “We’ve been very clear on our strategy going forward and we identify a lot of players that may help us and we identify where we want to position ourselves in the draft.

“We’ve made no secret we want to be really aggressive and bold in our approach to our list management.

“I think for any North Melbourne supporter that’s got to be really pleasing and really encouraging.

“While it’s fantastic to see the young players out there performing at the moment, I think it’s equally exciting as to the position the club is in to acquire some potential talent from other clubs.”

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/brad-scott-refuses-to-be-drawn-on-likelihood-of-north-melbourne-luring-dustin-martin-to-arden-st/news-story/8001f40212d9d7ac2f05b50d9a74cc7f

[Francois Jackson]

would be funny if a minnow like north could nab martin, while we roamed the league  chasing a big fish years, only to end up with Prestia.

So richmond.

[Eat_em_Alive]

would be funny if a minnow like north could nab martin, while we roamed the league  chasing a big fish years, only to end up with Prestia.

So richmond.

 

[Tigeritis™©®]

GIve him the $$$ please. And a house.

[one-eyed]

North now looking at a "plan B" according to Brad Scott. Sounds like Dusty told them he doesn't want to play in front of a man and his dog in an empty stadium every week  .



Scott said the Kangaroos would have contingency plans in place if they do not sign an established player – or land a "big fish" – at the end of the season.

"We'll take our draft picks and bank a hell of a lot of money in the salary cap to go again," Scott told Fox Footy on Monday night.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-29/cant-land-dusty-or-kelly-north-reveals-plan-b

[Gracie]

Isn't there still a minimum % of the salary cap a club has to pay?? Something like 92.5%

If so one of their existing players will be on a significant front ended contract upgrade. Especially with the cap going up some $2million this year