Coach wants Martin to fire in AFL finals

Richmond great Matthew Richardson has urged Dustin Martin to think about more than North Melbourne's massive offer.

Dustin Martin

Matthew Richardson says Dustin Martin (pictured) will see a long-term reward if he stays at Richmond (AAP)

Regardless of the next seven years, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick wants Dustin Martin to shine in the next month.

D-Day is looming large for the Tigers and Martin, who will fly to New Zealand on Monday to meet with his father Shane.

The AFL Brownlow Medallist could confirm as early as this week whether he will stay with Richmond beyond this season or go to North Melbourne on a monster seven-year deal.

The Tigers have also put a seven-year offer to Martin, who is a restricted free agent after this season, but North's is said to be $2.8 million more.

Martin continued his stellar season on Sunday, most likely racking up another three Brownlow votes in Richmond's 41-point win over St Kilda.

That secured Richmond a top-four berth and Hardwick's immediate focus is for Martin to dominate in the finals.

"Dustin's decision is his own - he's been terrific for me and he's been terrific for our footy club," Hardwick said.

"He plays every week and the way he plays the game - all I'm really interested in is what he gives us over the next four weeks, whatever it may be.

"The decision will be what it is."

Also on Sunday, Tigers great Matthew Richardson urged Martin to think beyond North Melbourne's massive offer.

Richardson, who works part-time at Richmond, said Martin should assess the pros and cons of the two offers.

He said if Martin stays at the Tigers, it would work out well for him financially in the long-term.

"If you do the pros and cons, you would then go 'to stay at Richmond, seven years, I will end up retiring an all-time great of the club'," Richardson said on 3AW.

"I will be loved by a huge fan base, I will have been in a stable place and I will have boundless opportunities moving forward, because of the relationships I've built over 15-16 years at one football club."

But Richardson said he understood why Martin would be tempted by North.

Martin's father Shane was deported from Australia to NZ last year because of alleged links to the Rebels motorcycle club.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world