‘He’s paid us in spades’: Hardwick gives ‘blessing’ for Martin to shift north

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‘He’s paid us in spades’: Hardwick gives ‘blessing’ for Martin to shift north

By Jon Pierik

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says Dustin Martin has his “blessing” to shift to Sydney should he desire, declaring whatever Martin provides the Tigers from here is a bonus.

Martin has more than two seasons remaining on his seven-year contract at Punt Road, but there has been speculation he could leave early and finish his career away from the AFL fishbowl that is Melbourne.

Damien Hardwick embraces Dustin Martin after the grand final in 2020.

Damien Hardwick embraces Dustin Martin after the grand final in 2020.Credit: Getty Images

His manager Ralph Carr told The Age this month that the 2017 Brownlow medallist enjoyed spending time in Sydney, where he was based for part of his youth. But he did not know if a permanent shift north – and a potential stint with the Swans or Greater Western Sydney – was a possibility.

Heading into Saturday’s Dreamtime at the ’G clash, Hardwick said on Tuesday that the three-time Norm Smith medallist was a required player, but he wouldn’t stand in his way should he seek change.

“He’s a very important player to our footy club, both on the field and off the field. What he gives us, he’s paid us in spades,” Hardwick said.

“Whatever Dustin’s decision is moving forward is up to Dustin and, to be honest, he has my blessing. What he’s given me, us, our fans, he has been incredible and whatever we get from here on in is a real bonus.

“I’m just lucky I get to see him on a weekly basis perform and train the way he does. He was a little bit sore last week, he’d never put up his hand and say, coming back after five weeks, he was a little bit underdone.

“He’s a required Richmond player, obviously, and a very important Richmond player.”

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Martin has been in good touch over the past fortnight since his return from six rounds out. He took a leave of absence while grieving the death of his father, and was still feeling the impacts of a lacerated kidney late last season.

The 263-game veteran had 23 disposals and two goals against Collingwood, and starred with 20 touches and three goals in the win over Hawthorn last weekend.

“He puts a lot into his footy. The way this guy prepares both physically and mentally is first-class – it’s what the great ones do,” Hardwick said.

“There’s no coincidence the work he puts in gets rewarded with his on-field performances. He invests in himself thoroughly. Even after [Tuesday’s training] session, he’s doing extra running because that’s the sort of performer he is.

“We use him as an example for our young blokes: ‘Listen you want to reach that level, first of all good luck but this is how you go about it’.”

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The Tigers will look to Martin to have an impact on the hurting Bombers on Saturday night. Martin, similar to Shai Bolton, has a licence to start on the field where he likes and shift positions whenever he likes, either forward or into the middle, but he has been used predominantly inside attacking 50 over the past fortnight.

Hardwick confirmed Maurice Rioli jnr will be by Martin’s side as a pressure forward on Saturday night when Indigenous culture will be celebrated. Rioli had only four touches against the Hawks, but his impact cannot be measured solely in statistics.

Hard nut midfielder Jack Graham, who has had scans on a sore toe, is a “50-50” bet to play, according to Hardwick. Star young defender Josh Gibcus has emerged from health-and-safety protocols but will be monitored closely at training.

Robbie Tarrant, the former North Melbourne veteran, will be in the selection frame but is still embracing the Tigers’ defensive philosophy. He had an early afternoon in the VFL clash against Box Hill last Sunday.

The Tigers have improved to a 5-4 win-loss record and are becoming a legitimate premiership threat. Hardwick said the belief within the side was growing, with his team beginning to resemble that which claimed three flags in four seasons.

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