'Should you have stayed at Geelong or taken the dough?'

Richmond football boss Neil Balme has urged Dustin Martin not to follow in Gary Ablett’s footsteps.

Tiger star Martin is believed to be weighing up three offers from rival clubs, who are champing at the bit to snap him up once he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2017 season.

Ablett is one of Geelong's favourite sons, playing 192 games for the Cats before taking up a big-money deal with Gold Coast.

It was hoped that Ablett's presence would translate into on-field success for the Suns, but the move has backfired somewhat and Ablett requested a trade back to the Cats last year.

The request was denied and Ablett was believed to be on the outer with numerous teammates at the time.

Speaking on Channel 7's Front Bar on Thursday night, Balme used Ablett as an example of why Martin should re-sign with Richmond.

"You look at Gary Ablett, he played his 300th game in front of about 100 people the other night," Balme said.

"Should you have stayed at Geelong or should you have taken the dough?"

North Melbourne have reportedly offered Martin a long-term deal believed to be worth at least $1 million a year.

The deal would be expected to last until at least 2022 for the 25-year-old goal-kicking midfielder, who has previously told Richmond he will not make a decision on his future until the end of the current season.

Richmond have offered Martin a five-year deal believed to also be worth $1 million per season.

Balme previously said the club was in constant contact with Martin's agent and was not aware of specific offers from rival clubs.

with AAP