Dustin Martin is on the Gold Coast, but there’s no reason to be concerned if you’re a Richmond supporter. Well, not yet, anyway.
He’s there on a holiday.
Upon being contacted by this column, two Gold Coast Suns sources confirmed that they were aware that Martin was on the Gold Coast but wouldn’t comment whether anyone from the club was planning to catch up with him.
Richmond have always maintained that Martin will see out his contract at Punt Road, with chief executive Brendon Gale stating as recently as a fortnight ago that he was confident the three-time Norm Smith medallist would be playing his 300th game in yellow and black next year.
Martin does have his fair share of friends up on the coast. Premiership teammate and close friend Brandon Ellis plays for the Suns, list manager Craig Cameron is the man who drafted Martin to Richmond in 2009 and football boss Wayne Campbell is a friend and confidant.
Oh and Suns coach Damien Hardwick knows him, too.
Damien Hardwick embraces Dustin Martin after the 2020 grand final.Credit: Getty Images
If At First You Don’t Succeed
Sydney are used to getting their way when it comes to attracting players. For over a decade, the bloods have made a habit of poaching big-name players from rival clubs.
But after missing out on their three main targets this year, they may have to get creative.
Sydney targets Tom Barrass, Harry Himmelberg and Tom De Koning have all decided to stay at their respective clubs, meaning the Swans have been left scrambling for a new key-position player to complement their myriad of recently acquired ball winners and ball users.
That’s why North Melbourne’s Ben McKay has become of recent interest, with a source close to the player, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claiming his interest in joining former Roos coach Brad Scott at Essendon has somewhat cooled.
McKay has choices. There’s also Sam Mitchell’s Hawthorn, who are keen to add a stopping defender to work with star interceptor and captain James Sicily.
The Hawks have also expressed interest in contracted Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith. Smith’s manager, Paul Connors, poured cold water on the trade chatter surrounding his most marketable player, telling the AFL website last week that he will “be at the Dogs” next season.
Smith has not indicated a desire to leave the kennel and he hasn’t met other clubs.
It’s a trade period that is quickly becoming about the players who stay, rather than the players who leave.
But McKay is almost certainly leaving Arden Street, not just because of the player’s desire to be part of a winning environment, but also because of his club’s situation, that could possibly lead to them being handed a top-three pick in free-agency compensation if he decides to leave and the club he joins hands him a large enough contract.
Sing For The Moment
Speaking of Ben McKay, he and his brother Harry McKay have been making waves in the podcast world with their popular show The Ben and Harry Podcast.
Last week’s episode was of particular interest, given the twins had a good laugh at Ben’s inability to sing the North Melbourne theme song.
Ben McKay of North Melbourne and Harry McKay.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
Now, in fairness to Ben, it’s not as though he’s been able to have a lot of practice. The round 24 victory over Gold Coast was just his eighth win in 71 games. That’s not many, particularly given he’s had more coaches at the Kangaroos (seven) than he’s played seasons (six).
Upon being challenged by Harry on the words of the song, Ben replied: “Join in the chorus, the Roos are on the ball.” The rendition was met with laughter by his co-host.
Just to clarify, it’s “Join in the chorus, North Melbourne’s on the ball.“
Light At The End Of The (Joint) Tunnel
It looks like it’s finally happening. After months of negotiating, the AFL and the players’ association are moving closer to a first joint CBA between men and women footballers.
A source close to the negotiation, who wasn’t authorised to speak publicly because of confidentiality reasons, told The Scoop the parties were moving closer to agreeing on a four-year deal that would be renegotiated before the arrival of the 19th licence in Tasmania.
The source said the players’ revenue share would be increased from 28 per cent to above 30 per cent to incorporate AFLW players, but one of the final hurdles remains how many games would be fixtured in the women’s season.
A senior spokesperson from the AFL said the league wouldn’t comment on an ongoing negotiation.
