RICHMOND has not put a timeframe on securing Alex Rance's signature after recently locking away captain Trent Cotchin and star midfielder Dustin Martin, who has re-signed in a deal that ties the 23-year-old to the Tigers until the end of 2017.

Martin's decision will be a relief to club officials given the difficulties Richmond had re-signing him when he was out of contract at the end of 2013.
 
At that time, Martin signalled his intention to field offers from other clubs, and went as far as touring Greater Western Sydney's facilities, before finally agreeing to a two-year deal with the Tigers. 
 
 
Richmond's general manager of football Dan Richardson said Martin was a pivotal player in the Tigers' plans for the future and he had no intentions of leaving.
 
"Perhaps Dusty realised that the hard hat wasn't the best fashion statement for him, but it's fair to say he and his management gave no indication that he was interested in looking elsewhere," he said.
 
"He's very committed Richmond and the path that we're on, which is great.
 
"For that reason discussions were fairly straight forward.
 
"I think Dustin's certainly developing as an individual and a player but at 23 years of age I think the's still got further development ahead.
 
"I think it's just a sign that he's got great confidence, as hopefully other players have, that the club's going in the right direction."
 
Martin, who is regarded as one of the game's best young midfielder/forwards, said he was rapt to get the deal done. 
 
He was pleased negotiations had happened without publicity and he could play football for the next three years without having to think about his future. 
 
"The club's been massive for me. They have obviously been a massive part of my life since I was 18. They have taught me a lot about life and a lot about footy as well," Martin said. 
 
"We're all in this together so we certainly want to stay together and finish it off."
 
He has been placed in the top three in the Tigers' best and fairest in three of the past four seasons and showed his brilliance in one-on-one contests inside 50 throughout 2014. 
 
His signature means attention will turn to defender Alex Rance who becomes a free agent at the end of 2015. 
 
Richardson said the Tigers have entered into discussions with Rance's management.
 
"We'll keep talking to Alex's management. We'll keep talking to the management of our other players we're keen to sign. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to put any timeframe on it," Richardson said.
 
"But all indications from Alex, similar to Dustin, is that he's very happy at Richmond. He's focused on preparing himself for the season ahead and I'm sure at some stage we'll be standing up here and making similar announcements.
 
"At the moment it's certainly not a distraction. Alex and all the players are working really hard so we'll just focus on that for the time being and the rest will take care of itself."