Richmond superstar Dustin Martin is reportedly on the verge of announcing he has signed a new AFL deal with the Tigers.
Martin is expected to announce on Thursday night that he has agreed to a long-term, deal, ending months of speculation about his future.
The 26-year-old has been mulling a contract offer from North Melbourne – reportedly a seven-year deal – that was worth significantly more money.
On Thursday afternoon, Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale, head of football Neil Balme and football manager Dan Richardson met Martin and his manager Ralph Carr.
The Kangaroos were reportedly told Martin would not take up their offer soon after that meeting broke up.
Months of speculation intensified over the past week after the Tigers sealed third spot, setting up a qualifying final against Geelong.
Martin and Carr returned to Melbourne on Tuesday night after a trip to New Zealand.
The Richmond star went over to speak to his father, who was deported last year, about his AFL future.
The club and coach Damien Hardwick have steadfastly played a straight bat to questions about their star midfielder’s future this season.
“The decision, whatever it may be, will come out. But does it affect our preparation? Not really. We still go about our business,” Hardwick said on Wednesday.
“Dustin has been fantastic for us for eight years – he’ll continue to be fantastic for us as long as we go in this finals series.”
“If he signs, great. If he chooses not to, we deal with it and we move on.
“But the fact of the matter is we’ve got a game to win next Friday night and that’s purely our focus at the moment.”
DUSTIN MARTIN’S AFL CAREER AT A GLANCE:
* Born: June 26 1991 (age 26)
* Draft: First-round selection, 3rd overall, 2009 draft
* AFL Debut: Round 1, 2010 – Richmond 9.10 (64) def by Carlton 18.12 (120) at the MCG. Martin, wearing the No.36 guernsey, had 18 possessions
* AFL Games: 175
* Honours: Richmond best-and-fairest winner 2016; 3rd Brownlow Medal 2016; All-Australian 2016; All-Australian nominee 2014, 2015; Rising Star nominee 2010
* Career goals: 182 (Career high: 5 goals v Brisbane, round 13, 2011)
* Career-high possessions: 43 v Essendon, round 17, 2016
