With Dustin Martin’s future at Richmond uncertain beyond this season, it’s possible this Thursday night could be the last time we see him in yellow and black.
Martin is set to return in the Tigers’ elimination final clash against Brisbane for his first match since Round 16 due to a serious hamstring injury. He’s played just eight games this year due to a combination of personal reasons and his hamstring setback.
It comes in a year where speculation has been rife that Martin could seek a trade away from Punt Road at season’s end despite him being contracted at Richmond until 2024 for a lucrative total of $2.6 million, with Sydney the club most linked to the triple Norm Smith medallist despite consistently downplaying its interest.
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Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified, journalist Damian Barrett says he expects conversations between Martin and club bosses about his future to ramp up when Richmond’s season ends.
“There is every chance if they were to lose this game (against Brisbane), the conversation we’ve long thought now would be had at the end of the year,” Barrett said.
“It was Peggy O’Neal, Brendan Gale and Damien Hardwick who flagged it publicly — more so than the media at that point of time — that this was a conversation to be parked.
“I still expect that conversation to be had, and it’s possible it is the last game he plays for the Tigers with two years of a deal to run.”
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd believes the 31-year old is a “big risk” for rival clubs and questioned who the genuine suitors for him were.
And despite so much conjecture around Martin’s future, veteran journalist Caroline Wilson predicted he’ll remain at the Tigers given the difficulty in moving his big-money contract.
“Sydney vehemently deny they’re into him, GWS I don’t think would have the room. Gold Coast was the other club linked to Dustin Martin — they also vehemently deny they’re having a look at him,” she said.
“It’s a lot of money for a player of his age. If I’ve got money on it now, I reckon he stays at Richmond.”
Dual All-Australian Kane Cornes labelled Martin the “greatest finals player I’ve ever seen,” but said expectations need to be tempered around his performance this weekend after such a lengthy layoff.
Lloyd added: “I see him as just a pure forward — if he can kick a couple of goals, apply pressure — that’s all you can hope for from someone who’s missed so much footy.”
Martin has booted 302 goals from 268 AFL games since making his debut in 2010.
