Richmond legend Dustin Martin is said to have “checked out” at Tigerland, with ‘internal frustration’ reportedly building within club headquarters.
The 33-year-old Martin, who is an unrestricted free agent this year, hasn’t played since Round 16 when he injured his back in the Tigers’ loss to Carlton — he has repeatedly been listed as a ‘test’ though a return date has yet to be cemented.
In the three weeks since his last AFL appearance, reports have detailed a trip to New Zealand and an unanticipated golf outing — raising questions about the nature of the superstar’s injury.
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Speaking on Nine’s Footy Classified, AFL journalist Sam McClure shared his latest intel on the game’s only triple Norm Smith medallist — including Richmond’s apparent oblivion to said golf day.
“He’s been injured, he was granted personal leave at the start of last week to go to New Zealand for a couple of days to visit friends and family,” McClure said on Monday night.
“He’s obviously (got) on a flight, not exactly a long-haul flight — four hours to New Zealand — particularly when you’re flying at the front. I’m not sure that there was any concern about his back injury flaring up on that flight.
“He then played golf on the Wednesday. Richmond, I spoke to at length tonight, had no idea about the game of golf — they didn’t confirm nor deny whether it took place. He trained lightly today.”
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McClure reported rising tensions with regards to how the Martin situation has played out.
“Richmond’s public position is that there’s nothing to see here, we still hope and expect him to play this week and for the remainder of his contract. I can tell you tonight that there is frustration building internally with how the last few weeks has played (out) with Dustin Martin,” he said.
“Richmond would love for him to play at least one more time and have a farewell game, but it’s my belief, speaking to people close to Dustin Martin, speaking to multiple people at Richmond today, speaking to people at the Gold Coast Suns today, that he won’t play at Punt Road beyond this season.”
The three-time flag winner played his 300th AFL game in a Round 14 loss to Hawthorn but has since missed trips to Perth and Adelaide, as well as a home bout with GWS.
McClure said Martin’s commitment levels at Punt Road have to an extent diminished.
“Clearly, with his lack of training and lack of coming to the club in recent weeks, there is a belief at Richmond — whether they publicly admit it or not — that he has, to some degree, checked out of that part of his career,” he said.
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd chimed in: “What a circus, then, it’s been.”
McClure was pressed on the issues underpinning Martin’s current position.
“I think it’s everything encompassing,” he said on Nine.
“I think he’s had a really challenging few years personally — we know what’s happened with some really awful issues that he’s been faced with away from football — you then throw in the injury ... it’s hard for a first-year coach (Adem Yze to navigate).”
The third overall pick in the 2009 national draft, Martin has been heavily linked to a reunion with former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast.
After departing Tigerland midway through last season, Hardwick — along with 2017 Richmond premiership player and now-assistant Shaun Grigg and former superstar Tigers defender Alex Rance — made the trip north to commence a journey with the Suns.
In early July, Hardwick commented on the potential for such a move to eventuate this off-season.
“Dustin’s a contracted player at Richmond. That’s obviously for Dustin to decide and Richmond to work their way through,” he said.
“He’s a really, really good player — there’s no doubt about that — and every single club would be crazy if they didn’t sit there and at some stage make an assessment.
“Like 17 other clubs, we’re always looking for good players ... Gold Coast is no different. Those list management calls will get made at the back end of the year.”
