Richmond hero Dustin Martin won’t speak to the media before his 300th game on Saturday afternoon, but coach Adem Yze has declared his superstar will be available should the Tigers defeat Hawthorn.
A large crowd is expected at the MCG in Round 14 when Martin becomes just the 7th Tiger to reach the 300 milestone, perhaps cementing his legacy as Richmond’s greatest ever in the process.
A notoriously private person, Martin has refused to speak to journalists in the lead-up to his huge occasion, despite AFL regulations dictating he must do so.
Speaking at his Thursday morning press conference, Yze defended Martin staying out of the public eye. However, the first-year coach also gave his Tigers even more motivation to win on Saturday.
“Post-game, if we have a great win, he (Martin) will be available to the media after that. The thing about Dusty, he wants to perform on the big stage and we have to give him the best opportunity,” Yze told reporters.
He also hosed down any fears that Martin, who turns 33 later in June, could retire after the milestone.
“100 per cent (it won’t be his last game). He’s committed for the season… he’s committed and starting to play really good footy,” Yze added.
“I’ve got no doubt he’ll finish the season.”
THE PRESENCE OF THE UNIQUE DUSTIN MARTIN IS UNDENIABLE
The three-time premiership maestro missed last week’s win over Adelaide with illness but has trained well this week.
Martin is yet to play in a win this year, with Richmond going into the Hawks clash as outsiders despite a good run of recent form for Yze’s men.
Richmond senior advisor Neil Balme told SEN WA that Martin may sit down with the club’s website before the game.
He added that Martin has earned the right to be himself given his stature in the game.
“Everyone puts out a heap of money to support the club so we need to give something back, but we still have to let people be themselves,” Balme said on Wednesday night about Martin’s refusal to speak to the media.
“From Dusty’s point of view, he doesn’t want to do that. I think we have to accept that he does so much for footy, let’s let him off that one.
“The amount of Richmond people who go to the footy because no.4 is playing is thousands upon thousands upon thousands. They all love what he does… he doesn’t do it on purpose, and we’ve got to respect that I think.”
The Tigers and Hawks meet at the MCG from 4:35pm on Saturday.