Gold Coast footy boss Wayne Campbell admits that the Suns will keep an eye on Dustin Martin as the Richmond great enters unrestricted free agency at the end of the season.
Martin, 32, is set to play his 300th game for Richmond this season but has links to the Gold Coast after three-time Tigers premiership coach Damien Hardwick took the Suns job ahead of the 2024 campaign.
The coach and player were photographed last year meeting on the Gold Coast but Campbell says that was simply a catch-up between close friends.
While the Suns will monitor Martin’s future, Campbell did concede that the three-time Norm Smith Medallist will probably retire a Richmond player.
“I mean, we were photographed on the Gold Coast last year and it was a big deal (in the media),” Campbell told SEN Sportsday.
“But I almost thought at the time it'd be a bigger deal if Dustin came up and he didn't catch up with Damien, given the relationship they've got. That was just over a beer.
“I don't know (if we’ll target him), there's too much to play out, Dustin's an absolute Richmond legend and he's contracted to them.
“We'll keep an eye on it, but I would have thought he probably sees his days out at the Tigers.”
Just two years after being forced to give up quality picks and players in salary dump moves, Campbell says that the Suns are now in a position to target good players that become available.
He says that the club’s books are in a strong position thanks to the work of list manager Craig Cameron.
“We’re always in the market for good players,” Campbell said.
“We got ourselves into some strife a few years ago (with the salary cap), but Craig Cameron has done a terrific job of getting the books back in order.
“We've had some players go out which has been well documented and that's allowed us to get into a position where if there was someone on the market and they were a good player, that we could add to our list and felt that they would benefit us that we would certainly have a look at that.
“I think our players are now in a position where we're providing them with an environment where they like it for a start, and they can see a positive future.
“That just might save you a little bit with each contract. So now we've got ourselves into a pretty good position.”
Martin will turn 33 midway through the 2023 season. The star Tiger has averaged 16 disposals and one goal per game from two appearances in 2024.
