Richmond AFL coach Damien Hardwick has no issue with Essendon chasing Tigers star Dustin Martin, saying they'd be crazy not to.
Ahead of their Saturday night clash at the MCG, the Bombers this week confirmed their interest in Martin - a free agent at the end of the season.
Hardwick said he wasn't bothered by Essendon going public in their pursuit of the 25-year-old goal-kicking midfielder.
St Kilda and North Melbourne are also reportedly keen on Martin.
"Dustin's an outstanding player and he's always going to create this sort of attention. It's just part and parcel of the industry we're in," Hardwick said.
"He's been a good player for us for a long period of time and any club not speaking to him is crazy."
Martin told the Tigers he wouldn't make a decision on his future until the end of the season but Hardwick said discussions were continuing.
"It's been the same situation for the last two months and nothing's changed as far as we're concerned," Hardwick said.
"We're reasonably happy with where it's at at the moment and, as long as he continues to play good footy for us, we're pretty happy."
Martin and Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe are the biggest names among players who become eligible for free agency at the end of the 2017 campaign.
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