Mar 8th, 2017

Mar 8th, 2017

What is it with press conferences and walk outs these days?

Richmond's Dustin Martin sidestepped talk about his next contract during an AFL presser on Tuesday only a day after Gold Coast coach Neil Henry did a runner following too many questions about Jarryd Hayne at a NRL media brief.

Flanked by his former coach Mark Williams at the MCG, Martin was more than happy to schmooze with the media to promote his new precision "Sherrin" football (it doesn't have a pointy end).

"We used it last year and the year before at the footy club and you know even the experienced players it helped them out and it's going to be really good for all age groups I think," Martin said.

Following a clichéd response to a question about the upcoming season, the star AFL player's mood changed when the media got down to business and asked him if he intended to remain at the Tigers when he signs his next deal past the 2017 season.

"Well that's just between (my manager) Ralph (Carr) and the club to sort out, but I'm here to talk about the Sherrin today," Martin said.

Williams then tried to make a save for his former player.

"The fact is he's playing really well ... Dustin for the four years that I worked with him continually wanted to lift the bar,'' Williams said.

"He's come seventh and he's third (in the Brownlow), well I'm not sure, mathematics would say something good so get on him."

Another pleasant question followed about his goals for 2017, before a follow-up about whether contract talk would serve as a distraction for the upcoming season.

"Thanks guys," he said, before taking up a media manager's invitation to exit stage right.

It was left to Williams to pick up the scraps.

"I'm sure Dustin will make the right decision and he's very much a loyal man," Williams said.

"So he loves Richmond, he loves the players there and in time he will make the right decision."