It’s been revealed that Dustin Martin played a key role in Richmond’s recruiting pitch.
Plus North Melbourne has its eyes on another target.
Get all the latest player movement news in AFL Trade Whispers.
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DUSTY’S KEY ROLE IN HOPPER COUP
Richmond superstar Dustin Martin was part of the club’s recruiting pitch this week to Giants gun Jacob Hopper, according to Triple M journalist Tom Browne.
It emerged on Thursday that the Tigers were set to land Hopper after offering him a massive seven-year deal — the same deal they offered to GWS star Tim Taranto in what looms as a huge double coup.
Of course, Martin’s own future at Punt Road was uncertain, but later on Thursday reports stated the triple Norm Smith medallist was set to see out the final two years of his contract.
Speaking on Triple M, Browne revealed Hopper and Taranto were lured by the opportunity to play for a big club together, and how Martin was also a “factor in the decision”.
“Not only did they have an assurance that Martin would be around for the next two years, Martin was in the pitch on Monday, part of the pitch to Hopper,” Brown said.
Richmond beat out Geelong in the race for Hopper and will now prepare for a busy trade period to get its targets through the door.
CLARK LINKED TO ROOS
St Kilda’s Hunter Clark is the latest player linked to North Melbourne in the Kangaroos’ recruitment drive under Alastair Clarkson.
CODE Sports’ Daniel Cherny reports rival clubs including North see the former Pick 7, who can play across half back and through the midfield, as gettable for the right price this trade period despite being contracted for next year.
The 23-year old has endured a horrid injury run across his last twos seasons including playing just eight games in 2022 due to jaw and shoulder setbacks.
It comes after AFL Media’s Callum Twomey first revealed Clark is likely going to be a trade target for teams.
It’s believed the Kangaroos are also circling fellow Saints Brad Hill and Ben Lon, the former who played under Clarkson at Hawthorn, and Giants youngster Tanner Bruhn.
Although potentially complicating the Roos’ off-season plans is that the club have no picks between No. 1 and No. 52 after trading its future selections last year in the deal for Callum Coleman-Jones.
