DUSTIN Martin plays better footy at Etihad Stadium, a fact that's set to have North Melbourne fans salivating as negotiations on his future heat up.
With speculation swirling that the out-of-contract Richmond superstar is weighing up a seven-year $10.5million offer from the Etihad tenants, analysis of statistics shows Martin is potentially more at home in Docklands.
Also up for Martin's consideration, an $8.4million deal on the table from MCG-housed Tigers.
The 26-year-old has played 25 matches at Etihad compared to 100 at the 'G, but in almost every major category he dominates at the roof-covered stadium.
He averages more touches (contested and uncontested), more scoring contributions and more metres gained on the Kangaroos' home turf as opposed to the Tigers' home ground.
He's even polled a whopping 18 Brownlow Medal votes at Docklands compared with 47 votes in four times as many games at the MCG.
Martin is expected to travel to New Zealand to spend time discussing his future with his father after Richmond's round 23 clash with St Kilda.
Making the trip all the more intriguing, his manager Ralph Carr is expected to join him.
Martin's dad Shane was deported by the Australian government to his native New Zealand over alleged bikie links.
Richmond has granted Martin leave from the club several times to visit his father.
Docklands Dusty: MCG v Etihad Stadium
MCG | ETIHAD STADIUM | |
---|---|---|
Matches | 100 | 25 |
AFL Player Ratings | 13.3 | 16.3 |
Disposals | 24.8 | 26.2 |
Contested possessions | 9.3 | 9.9 |
Uncontested possessions | 15.5 | 16.3 |
Goals | 1.0 (104) | 1.2 (31) |
Score assists | 1.1 (106) | 1.4 (34) |
Tackles | 3.1 | 3.1 |
Metres gained | 426 | 467 |
Source: Champion Data