Sydney-based clubs would “be silly” not to explore a trade for contracted Richmond star Dustin Martin, according to Luke Hodge.
Martin, 30, has been linked with a move to Sydney after spending time in the Harbour City while on personal leave.
The triple Norm Smith Medallist and 2017 Brownlow Medallist has two more seasons to run on a lucrative seven-year contract at Punt Road.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick told reporters on Tuesday that Martin has his blessing to leave the club if he wishes to finish his career elsewhere.
Host Gerard Whateley asked Hodge on SEN’s Whateley: “If you’re either the Swans or the Giants, would you trade to get him?
“It’s different if you can get him for nothing and just absorb the salary, would you actually actively trade to get him next year?”
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Hodge replied: “You’d be asking questions because looking at him at the moment, yes, his best football is probably past him, he’s at that age now where he’s still got a lot of good years ahead of him.
“But I would be asking questions for sure – you’d be silly not to – this is a bloke who brings sponsors into the club, he puts bums on seats and that’s what Sydney need. That’s why they’ve gone after the ‘Bud’ (Lance Franklin) and gone after (Tony) Lockett and Barry Hall, those kinds of blokes.
“They need people to come and watch the games when they’re not going as well. If they could figure out a way with draft picks and salary cap to ask the question – you’d be silly not to.”
The four-time premiership Hawk says multiple draft picks would be required in a trade to satisfy Richmond.
“If he’s got two years on a contract on $1 million, they’re not going to say, ‘Give us one first-rounder’ – this a bloke who is as good as we’ve seen in our day in big situations,” Hodge said.
“I don’t think it’s as easy as ‘Dusty’ going, ‘I wouldn’t mind going’ and Richmond going, ‘Yeah OK’, you need to give us a lot of draft picks.”
Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes thinks Martin would be “perfect” for the Swans if he was played as a permanent forward.
“Could Sydney sign him for five years and then smooth the money out?” Cornes asked on SEN SA Breakfast.
“So instead of getting $1.2 million, he gets $800,000, $800,000, $700,000, $700,000, $600,000 … that’s the way that they would do it.
“He gets the long-term security. Over the journey he earns more money, but Sydney isn’t forced to pay out that massive contract up front.
“The complicating factor is satisfying Richmond with a trade for one of the greatest players of all time.
“But if you asked me where Dustin Martin will finish his career, I’d say it’s more likely to be in Sydney than at Richmond. Which is something you probably wouldn’t have said a couple of years ago.
“Provided he still has the passion for the game, and he wants to play, his body, his durability and his role in the side. He doesn’t play a taxing role, I guarantee you Dustin Martin’s not running 15km a game, I reckon he’s running eight.
“If he doesn’t really have to defend and can go one-out in the goal square and do maximum damage and on the SCG, he’d be perfect for Sydney.”
Martin toured GWS’ facilities in 2013 before agreeing to a two-year deal to remain with the Tigers.
The four-time All-Australian collected 20 disposals and kicked three goals in Richmond’s win over Hawthorn last week, his second game back from a six-week break from football for personal reasons.