The Essendon Bombers are the latest to join the queue for the services of Dustin Martin, but unless their sofa cushions are much more productive than are ours, it is doubtful that they can scrounge up the funds needed to join the race to deprive the Richmond Tigers of their superstar midfielder – forward.
The Bombers have yet to table an offer to Martin, which makes the Essendon claim seem pointless, but they could simply be doing whatever they can to add some doubt in the mind of Martin, whose mind is not currently subject to much doubt, as he has in his pocket an aggressive offer from the North Melbourne Kangaroos for big time and big money.
Martin’s manager, Ralph Carr, is saying on record that there will be no decision until after the conclusion of the 2017 Toyota AFL Premiership competition, which is sports agent code for, “Show us the money.”
The big issue confronting the Dons is that they have eyes too big for their plates or needs too big for their war chests.
They are juggling contracts for emerging youngsters, such as Darcy Parish and Joe Daniher and they also have to deal with established players coming out of contract, such as David Zaharakis, Brent Stanton and Jobe Watson.
Martin is just 25, so he expects to add value to some AFL side for some distance into the future.
He might take a fancy to the Dons, a side that seems to be showing a pulse this season following the aftermath of 2016, when they paid the penalty for illegal supplements. Essendon has already won more games after nine rounds than they did all of last season. Their high water mark for the season who have to be beating the Geelong Cats in round eight, but they have work to do to join the ranks of the Crows, who dealt the Bombers a 65-point defeat in round four.
