However, Carr told Fairfax Media that a decision would likely be made in the break between round 23 and the start of the finals. "It's in Dustin's court. I am sure at the right time he will say to me: 'Right, we are ready, let's review it'. But he always said at the end of the season. I dare say that's at the end of the home-and-away season, I would think," he said. "Nothing has changed. As I said last time, Dustin said he would deal with it at the end of the year. I am really just honouring his request. At the moment we are doing just what we should be doing as a manager, that is seeing it through as per Dustin's request." However, that would potentially be an awkward situation if he was to announce he was leaving just as the Tigers were hoping for a breakthrough finals campaign. If he was to stay, his signature would be a major boost heading into September.

"You would like to do well in the finals but I am just thrilled for Richmond – it's great to be in the top four. The Tigers' supporters have been waiting for this for a long time," Carr said. There have been industry rumblings in the past week that Carr had indicated Martin was disappointed with the Tigers' offer and was on the cusp of leaving. The Tigers are aware of North Melbourne's lucrative, long-term offer, and St Kilda would also have the capacity to pay about $1.5 million a season. Former Essendon coach James Hird wrote over the weekend that the AFL should help to orchestrate a move to Gold Coast. Melbourne great Garry Lyon said on Footy Classified that "the talk of the last week or so is that financials are going to be pretty important otherwise why would you not sign". It's in Dustin's court ... he always said at the end of the season. I dare say that's at the end of the home-and-away season, I would think. Ralph Carr on when Dustin Martin will make a call

But Carr said he had not discussed Martin's thinking publicly. "I haven't spoken to a soul about Dustin, not a soul. If someone is going around saying that, it's the usual crap that is going on, with this sort of stuff," he said. Asked if he was happy with the Tigers' offer, or whether they needed to do more, Carr replied: "I can't talk about any of that. I would be disrespecting Richmond in this particular case." Should Martin win the Brownlow, he is likely to already have had a bonus clause written into his contract, which could automatically lift the Tigers' offer even further. On the Kangaroos' offer, it was a similar response. "Not only would I be disrespecting the clubs, I would be disrespecting Dustin," Carr said.