Former North Melbourne and St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo says the potential $1.5 million a year deal offered by his former club to Richmond star Dustin Martin has almost hit the tipping point of too much money.
It’s understood the raging Brownlow Medal favourite has been offered a seven year deal to move to Arden Street, but the three time All-Australian believes the sum offered could begin to affect whether they can keep the likes of emerging forward Ben Brown.
“There has to be a tipping point at some stage where paying one player that volume of money, and break it down into a percentage, 12 percent of your TPP that therefore you can’t pay other players,” Dal Santo said on SEN Breakfast.
“If I was honest I would look at Brad Scott and Cameron Joyce (football chief) and say fantastic, to a certain point, a certain value.
“Ben Brown is out of contract and deserves more money, but okay then we lose Ben Brown because he can’t get paid, modestly to what Dusty is, but what he deserves.”
Roos coach Brad Scott has denied reports that he will head to New Zealand to meet Martin’s father, but Dal Santo has no doubt Scott and the club have met, or will meet with Dusty, particularly as they would be investing huge money.
“In some ways Brad Scott’s head is on the chopping block as well, he needs success, he’s out of contract next year,” he said.
“He needs something to be able to hang his hat on and say this is the direction.
“If Brad Scott is investing $1.5 million into a player, one hundred percent you would like to meet that person. You don’t do a blind investment, you don’t just keep throwing out money.
“I would be staggered if North Melbourne haven’t to this point, or don’t meet with Dusty before a deal is allegedly done.”
He said as a senior player he would have loved to have a discussion with club officials about such a player coming in, but admitted the club has every right to not canvass the views of the players.