Aug 30th, 2017

Aug 30th, 2017

“The Bodyguard” stage show opened to rave reviews in Melbourne last night. It’s suddenly become one of the city’s must see events.

But as the audience danced, cheered and applauded its way through the show, across town there was another couple of bodyguards playing an unusual support role.

AFL star Dustin Martin was returning from a flying visit to New Zealand where he met with his deported Dad, Shane, to discuss his footballing future.

Dustin Martin is about to become a rich man. (AAP)

As he walked out from customs, two black-suited security men were there to meet him… and then flank him as he walked to a waiting car.

Just a little over the top?

Er, yes.

So, why did Team Martin feel so compelled to employ such odd tactics?

Clearly he’s fed up with the media attention this three-day trip across the ditch attracted.

Channel 9’s cameras were there for when he left Melbourne, Channel Seven took it a step further and followed Martin to New Zealand.

On neither occasion did Martin answer questions.

Unfortunately for the 26-year-old this is all part of the territory when you happen to be the hottest property in the country’s biggest game and the subject of a multi-million-dollar bidding war.

Current club, Richmond, are desperate to keep their man. And why wouldn’t they?

He’s the single most important player in their stable and largely responsible for the Tigers’ resurgence this season.

Having not won a premiership in 37 years, Richmond is well placed to break that agonising drought and, in truth, they wouldn’t be in this position had it not been for the pure on-field genius of Dustin Martin.

In a bid to keep their out of contract star, the Tigers have tabled a seven-year deal which would see Martin earn $1.1 million a year.

But that’s well short of the $1.5 million a season offer being dangled in front of him by North Melbourne.

But here’s the problem.

If a club is going to fork out millions of dollars for a single player, wouldn’t you want more than an on-field contribution?

For a club like North Melbourne, a marquee player such as Martin should be a mouth-watering prospect for the marketing department.

Finally, a poster boy to become the face of the club and attract new and lapsed members.

But Martin treats the media with disdain.

He simply won’t be there front and centre for the big announcements.

The same could be argued about Gold Coast’s luring of Gary Ablett or the Swans mega-bucks deal with Buddy Franklin.

But both those players are protected somewhat by playing in NRL heartlands. The demands are nowhere near the same as living in the AFL fishbowl that is Melbourne.

Fame just doesn’t sit comfortably with Martin and given his extraordinary talents, any football club would be prepared to waiver the usual off field requirements expected.

Whichever way he decides to go, Martin will be a very rich young man.

Maybe he will need those bodyguards.

Flanking him to the bank.