'He loves Sydney': Dustin Martin's manager drops contract bombshell
Despite having two years left to run on his contract, Richmond Tigers premiership star Dustin Martin could be mulling over a free agency move to Sydney.
At least, that's what comments from Martin's agent Ralph Carr has suggested, telling the Herald Sun that Martin 'loves Sydney' when asked about rumours the star midfielder could be pondering a move away from Melbourne.
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Two premiership wins for the Richmond Tigers affirmed Martin's status as one of the AFL's elite, but his so far harmonious career at Punt Road could be coming to a close in a couple of years.
Asked about the rumours Martin could be headed north after his contract is up, Carr was coy about the Tigers player's intentions, but was clear about his fondness for the harbour city.
“Dusty loves Sydney," Carr said.
“He’s there a lot and he originally lived in Camden with his dad. You’ve got to live there to really know how good it is.
“He loves rugby league, too, and he was hanging out with Cameron Munster the other day.”
Despite his talk of Sydney, Carr later said it was 'too early' to tell where Martin's head would be at by the time his free agency approached.
“I can’t say, that’s a big question," he said.
"He’s got two years to go at Richmond and it’s too early to say where he might finish up.”
Martin, who by the time he becomes a free agent will be 31 years old, would represent a bold signing for the likes of the Sydney Swans, who are entering the final year of their nine-year, $10 million deal with forward Lance Franklin.
Paddy McCartin to play for Swans' reserves
Paddy McCartin will take his most significant step towards an AFL return by playing for Sydney's reserves, with the key forward eyeing the mid-season draft as he seeks to move on from his concussion hell.
McCartin, who was recruited by St Kilda with the No.1 pick in the 2014 draft, played his final AFL game for the Saints almost 1000 days ago.
The 24-year-old suffered eight concussions before being delisted at the end of the 2019 season.
It has been an incredibly long road back in several senses; McCartin was on track to play at some level in 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic intervened.
The Swans contemplated taking McCartin, whose younger brother Tom will be a key part of their defence this season, in last year's rookie draft.
McCartin told AAP he feels "lucky" that Sydney have offered a chance to resurrect a career that so many, including himself, feared was over.
"The last couple of years I've had to do a lot of things to get to this point. I'm looking forward to putting all that concussion stuff behind me, just enjoying footy," McCartin said.
"It's been a very long time since I've played.
"It was probably 18 months ago that I got the all clear from some doctors, that was when I thought I'd give it another crack."
With AAP
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