Dustin Martin is an absolute legend for Richmond Football Club, but rumors are mounting that he may be moving on.
The appeal of the idea of Dustin Martin leaving the Richmond Tigers is growing now that Caroline Wilson said she believed the deal was under consideration.
earlier in the week, 3AW’s Sam McClure reported there was “a very high probability” Martin would leave the club he won three premierships and three Norm Smith medals.
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While Martin wasn’t limited to moving to Sydney, Wilson spoke on Channel 9’s Footy classified on Wednesday night, said it looked like something was being worked out.
“I thought talking about Sydney was a complete furphy. I hear now that it might be on. It’s definitely something to be considered,” Wilson said on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“Sydney has shown some interest. Not immediately necessary in Dustin Martin. And Dustin Martin, according to people at the club, is just not as involved as he was in the past.
“He started the year with a broken heart. It was a shock at the end of last year…and for the first time I think there are people in Richmond looking at life outside of Dustin Martin.”
The four-time All-Australian has long been linked with a move to Sydney.
Martin was seen training with NRL star turned boxers Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams in Sydney afterwards the death of his father Shane in December†
The tigers star took time away from football after the first round for mental health reasons and returned to play in round eight.
It comes after Wilson spoke to Swans CEO Tom Harley earlier in the week about players the club may be interested in.
After drawing a line on Jordan De Goey, Harley laughed off his interest in Martin, saying, “I haven’t been asked about Martin in over a month.”
Wilson said she felt that Harley’s “no” to Martin was “not as final” as it was for De Goey.
Harley also said he hoped Buddy Franklin would play again next year, but Wilson said it would be a drastically reduced offer for the current Swans star.
“I just feel like there’s a little bit going on behind the scenes. Richmond is trying to keep Liam Baker, they’re looking at (Jacob) Hopper, (Tim) Taranto,” Wilson said.
“I don’t know if it’s the right decision, I don’t know, I hope I’m wrong, but I’m really afraid I’m right.”
Matthew Lloyd, the great Matthew Lloyd of Essendon, said that if the Swans went for Martin it would be risky for Sydney.
“It would be a sad thing for the people at Richmond because wouldn’t you like Dustin Martin to be a one club player, because of the champion he has been for the club,” Lloyd said.
“But I think if it happens, it won’t be the worst for Richmond. Dustin just turned 31, he’s in the $1.2 million to $1.4 million season, that’s a lot of money at age 31.
“To be honest, it’s a big risk for the Sydney Swans to hire a 31-year-old, and he wouldn’t be going there for the next two years – he’d be going there for three or four years. contract.”
Ross Lyon disagreed, however, saying the Tigers should keep him and that this was all part of the grieving process for his father.
“This can be worked into Dustin’s life and he will come out the other side, and I would like him to come out the other side at the Richmond Football Club,” he said. “We’ll lose him in Sydney.”
Earlier in the week, McClure said Sydney would “move heaven and earth” to bring Martin to the club, perhaps partnering with Lance Franklin.
Martin is reportedly owed $2.6 million over the next two seasons, which would make it difficult for any team to fit him into their salary cap.
For McClure, he said it would be a good idea for the Swans or GWS Giants to go for Martin.
“You’re renewing Dustin’s contract, that’s the easy way to do it,” McClure said.
“You pay him the $1.3 million for two years, you add two years afterwards to not a lot of money, and you get it done.
“A four-year contract, give him that extra two. Tell (to him) you’re probably going to play full forward. You’re running a situation where Dustin Martin and Lance Franklin play in the same forward for a year – memberships sell themselves.
Bomber legend Tim Watson said: in May that he believed the tigers had had the discussion and that it was “on the table”.
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