Richmond superstar Dustin Martin is mourning the death of his father but is not planning on taking extended leave

Richmond players have rallied around Dustin Martin and his brothers in the wake of their father’s death. Here’s when Dusty plans to return to the Tigers.

Dustin Martin is mourning the death of his father Shane Martin. Picture: Getty Images

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has no plans to take an indefinite break from football after the death of his father.

Martin’s welfare is the Tigers’ No.1 priority as teammates and club staff rally around the champion midfielder and his two brothers, Bronson and Tyson.

Shane Martin died last week in New Zealand, where he has been living since 2016. The cause of death is not suspicious.

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Richmond would fully support the brilliant playmaker if he wanted to take some time away from the game in the new year, as one of the game’s biggest stars mourns the loss of his greatest supporter.

However, Martin, 30, has not suggested he wants to step away from the game for any period of time.

Dustin Martin was preparing to ramp up his training regimen after shedding weight following a serious injury. Picture: Getty Images

It means the Tigers will prepare to welcome the triple premiership Tiger back to training with the rest of his teammates when the club resumes on January 10, or whenever he is ready.

Plans are underway for a funeral.

Almost 10 weeks after the return to training, Richmond will open its season against Carlton in Round 1 on Thursday, March 17 at the MCG.

A pre-season game against Hawthorn in northwestern Tasmania will also take place on Saturday, March 5, to help raise funds for the families of six children tragically killed in a jumping castle accident last week.

A venue for the match is yet to be confirmed. A scratch match against Geelong Cats is also in the works in late February.

Martin is mourning the death of his father Shane Martin. Picture: Simon Runting

Martin had planned to ramp up his training in the new year and enter full contact drills after making a full recovery from a lacerated kidney which he suffered late in the regular season in a clash against Brisbane Lions.

The triple Norm Smith medallist lost more than 10kg in the aftermath but Richmond’s fitness staff have set out a road map for him to regain full strength and running power for the 2022 season.

Martin, who won the 2017 Brownlow Medal with one of the greatest individual seasons of all-time, has three more remaining on his seven-year deal, which expires at the end of 2024.

Martin suffered a lacerated kidney during a late-season clash with the Lions. Picture: Michael Klein

The brilliant goal kicker recently said he played football for his dad and wanted nothing more for Shane Martin to be able to watch him play from the MCG grandstands.

“I love my dad and he’s made me the man I am today,” Martin said.

The Tigers had their annual general meeting on Monday night, two days after the club publicly declared its support for the Martin family.

“The Richmond Football Club is mourning the passing of Shane Martin,” the club said in a statement.

“The club extends its heartfelt sympathy to Dustin, his brothers Bronson and Tyson, and the entire Martin family in this extremely difficult time.”

Originally published as Richmond superstar Dustin Martin is mourning the death of his father but is not planning on taking extended leave