UPDATE: Mon Sep 30,2013, 4:00pm
RICHAMOND has confirmed that Dustin Martin has been re-signed by the team committing to a further two seasons with the club.
“I want to thank the Richmond Football Club and it supporters for being so patient during these negotiations,” said Martin via the club’s website.
“My family and I are grateful for the manner in which Ralph Carr has represented me.
“I am now looking forward to doing everything possible to help the Club and my teammates have the success we all crave.”
Original Post: Mon Sep 30, 2013, 2:15pm
AFTER the market for new teams rapidly dried up, Tigers midfielder/forward Dustin Martin has apparently re-signed with Richmond.
The report of the signing has yet to be confirmed by the Tigers but AFL.com.au has reported that Martin has signed on for two more two seasons with Richmond.
The re-signing ends a curious two week odyssey for Martin that saw him declare an interest to move on and then following that up with a flirtation with the GWS Giants, Melbourne, St Kilda and, most recently, the Brisbane Lions.
The Lions officially withdrew their interest just yesterday and an offer from another club never materialised.
At the start of this process Richmond General Manager of Football, Dan Richardson was disappointed about Martin’s decision though realistic about what it meant.
“We are proud of the way Dustin has developed as a footballer, and as a person, in his time at Richmond, and we have been steadfast in our view that he is a required player who has an exciting football career ahead of him,” said Richardson at that time.
“However, we understand the business of football, and Dustin’s right to pursue other opportunities.”
Ultimately Richardson is right and it is a business and for the other teams that kicked the tyres on Martin they clearly felt there was too much risk inherent in his asking price.
Martin, 22, was the 3rd overall pick of the 2009 National Draft and made his debut in Round 1 of the 2010 season. He has since gone on to play in 86 games for the Tigers and has averaged 22 disposals and a goal per game.
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Source: Football Nation