Dustin Martin is highly unlikely to undertake any official media obligations in the lead-up to his 300th game.
The Richmond superstar plays his milestone match against Hawthorn at the MCG this Saturday and with that will undoubtedly come unavoidable fanfare.
But one thing the media-shy Martin will be able to evade is an interview prior.
Even after the AFL introduced increased access to players as part of the new collective bargaining agreement, it seems as though Martin will get his wish to float along and simply play a game of footy.
Martin’s premiership captain Trent Cotchin had been rumoured to have sorted an interview for Channel 7, but it appears as though that will not eventuate.
There is one last glimmer of hope, however, with Channel 9 journalist and SEN regular Tom Morris is reporting that one former teammate – Jack Riewoldt – could still potentially land a chat for Fox Footy…
…but it’s not looking hopeful.
“As it stands right now on Monday morning before a Saturday game, Dustin Martin won’t be doing even one interview before his 300th game,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
“That’s clearly not a media conference but it’s also not a one on one with Trent Cotchin at Seven, or a one on one with Jack Riewoldt at Fox, or Matthew Richardson for the club’s website.
“Nothing has been locked in. I think still Fox is still hopeful that Jack Riewoldt can convince ‘Dusty’ privately to do an interview.
“But there won’t be anything at this stage that he does do. There’s a Richmond doco that’s going on the website on Tuesday night.
“Clearly the fanfare around Saturday will be significant. Dusty’s barber is going to be at the game cutting people’s hair like Dusty. There’ll be lots of memorabilia and paraphernalia.
“This is significant, I think, because of the AFL’s new rule where fines are attached to players and clubs who don’t comply with their regulations. It would be a very brave AFL to fine Dusty or Richmond this week.
“But nevertheless, at this stage, there is no interview attached to Dusty’s 300th.”
The AFL wanted Martin to hold a press conference ahead of his milestone match but Morris says that certainly will not be taking place.
The “last hope” for fans to hear from the Brownlow Medallist and three-time Norm Smith Medallist now sits with Riewoldt.
“That (a press conference) is not going to be happening,” Morris added.
“Something ridiculous would need to change. The people I speak to, in and around Dusty, say there’s no chance.
“Jack Riewoldt at Fox is probably the last hope, but nothing has been locked in yet and it’s Monday of the 300th week.
“Dusty would just like to float through and play on Saturday. He has told people around him that he would like to thank the fans, and I think most fans would agree that the best way for him to do that would be on game day.
“During the week it feels as if there’s not going to be much at all.”
Pre-game interview or not, Martin will be featured front and centre in this weekend’s AFL Record which includes insight and thoughts from his close mate Cotchin, current Tigers captain Toby Nankervis, as well as two of Martin’s Grand Final opponents – Geelong’s Joel Selwood and GWS’ Phil Davis.
Martin will become just the seventh Richmond player to reach the 300-game milestone, joining premiership peers Cotchin, Riewoldt and Shane Edwards, and following legends Kevin Bartlett, Jack Dyer and Francis Bourke.
The Tigers v Hawks clash kicks off at 4:35pm AEST at the ‘G on Saturday.