- Dustin Martin looks set to leave Richmond
- He is reportedly weighing up two options
- Martin, 33, played his 300th game last month
Dustin Martin‘s future have reportedly been narrowed down to just two options, and neither include Richmond.
The Tigers superstar, 33, recently celebrated his 300th game at Punt Road, but speculation over the two-time Brownlow Medalist’s future has been rife amid reports he is considering walking away from footy for good.
Martin has also been linked with a move north, away from the AFL bubble of Melbourne, and 9News reports that a reunion with former Tigers coach Damien Hardwick could be on the cards.
‘It’s absolutely in play and this hasn’t changed all year,’ said Nine’s footy reporter Tom Morris.
‘As it sits, it’s more the Martin camp pushing it, than Gold Coast chasing him. The Suns are open to the idea, but not yet wedded to it.’
Morris added that Martin would need to accept a seven-figure paycut if he is to move to the Suns, and is convinced that the 33-year-old’s time at Punt Road will be over shortly.
‘His agent Ralph Carr said he is weighing up his options,’ Morris continued.
‘I have spoken to multiple people close to Dusty this afternoon who believe his time at Punt Rd is coming to an end and he will either join the Suns or retire.
‘That is my strong belief too, that he only has a handful of games left in the yellow and black.’
Martin did not train on Tuesday as he is recovering from a lower back injury sustained during the team’s loss to Carlton on Sunday.
The 33-year-old finished with just seven disposals in the 20.11 (131) to 10.10 (70) defeat – the lowest tally of his 301-game career.
‘He just seized up,’ Tigers coach Adam Yze said.
‘He tried to go back out there for one more rotation and he was just battling, so it was just pointless.
‘I’m not sure if he’s ever been subbed before but against a quality team like Carlton you need 18 fit guys out there.
‘So for him to put his hand up and say his back’s a bit too sore is a credit to him.’