DUSTIN Martin's agent Ralph Carr has met with Richmond to discuss the star midfielder's future.

Carr, who was accompanied by former Essendon player and assistant coach Dean Wallis, met with Tigers officials Neil Balme and Dan Richardson on Tuesday.

The fact the meeting did actually happen quashes speculation the parties weren't talking at all.

The club officials left the meeting in the belief that communication will continue.  

All Carr said when contacted after the meeting was "nothing to report at this point." Adding, "stay tuned."

It reaffirms Martin's contract status will be one of the talking points of the season.

Martin is a free agent at the end of this season, and is managed by entertainment guru Carr.

Carr's management firm has a sports arm in RCM Sport, and while his stable of stars is limited, he has one of the biggest names in the game on his books.

Martin, 25, has been embroiled in a full on contract circus before.

In 2013, when he was last out of contract, reports initially surfaced that he had walked out of Punt Road.

Martin issued a strong denial on social media, insisting it wasn't the case, saying he simply instructed his manager to tell Richmond he wanted to "fully consider the options about my future".

He was then spotted by television cameras touring Greater Western Sydney's facilities, creating more sensational headlines and hours of talkback radio conversation.

Ultimately, he stayed at Punt Road.

All of that happened under the guidance of Carr, and so far there's nothing to suggest "the show" is not going to be the same, if not bigger, this time around.

Carr is a man who knows how to manage a star and how to use the showbiz factor to extract the best deal for his client.

Whether that deal is ultimately with Richmond or at another club, 2017 looms as year when Dusty's decision is on everyone's lips.

In a rare interview on AFL.com.au last August ahead of his 150th game, Martin told Matthew Richardson that he expected to remain at Punt Road. 

Richardson asked: "Do you you see yourself playing another 150 and being a Tiger for life?" 

Martin replied: "Yeah mate, I'd love to for sure.”

That was off the back of a challenging year in which Martin got caught up in what became known as "the chopstick affair" at a Melbourne restaurant, and his father was deported to New Zealand. 

The Tigers have granted him leave to visit his father from time to time.   

As one football person close to discussions told AFL.com.au, "So the circus begins."