Mark Robinson says Richmond has some big calls to make ahead of 2023

Dustin Martin wants to play until he can’t play any more, just like his hero NFL legend Tom Brady. But the speculation about where needs to end — right now, Mark Robinson writes.

Whatcha doing, Dusty?

Are you staying or going?

Because Richmond needs to know.

This continual media speculation and pontification about where Dustin Martin will play football in 2023 has run its course.

It might’ve been rubbish talk from the start, a seed planted because Martin’s sporting hero is Tom Brady, who happens to play American footy well into his 40s, and who departed his beloved Patriots for rival team Tampa Bay.

Martin wants to play until he can’t play any more, just like Brady.

But the speculation about where needs to end.

If he hasn’t already, Martin or Carr needs to tell Richmond the truth.

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Dustin Martin’s future has been of much interest this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

In what has been a tumultuous season for Martin, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick indicated in May that Dusty didn’t owe the club anything and that Martin had his “blessing’’ with whatever decision he made.

But Hardwick added: “What I do know is he’s a Richmond player, a required Richmond player.’’

There’s both romance and business in football clubs, and it’s time for business at the Tigers.

Change is afoot.

On the field, they are four quarters away from this dynasty ending.

Starkly, if the Bulldogs beat Geelong this weekend and the Tigers lose to Brisbane on Sunday, it’s game over – and era over.

The revolutionary Kane Lambert has retired and no one will be surprised if 300-gamer Shane Edwards follows suit. There’s two huge vacancies at half-forward, and they will have lost two great clubmen.

Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt will decide if they will play on. They should. They are playing good enough football. And the Tigers need them to help the transition.

Shane Edwards will play his 300th game on Sunday. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

This year and last, the Tigers have introduced Hugo Ralph-Smith, Josh Gibcus, Noah Cumberland, Maurice Rioli, Bigoa Nyuon, Tyler Sonsie, Judson Clarke, Ben Miller, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Samson Ryan, Will Martyn and Rhyan Mansell to the senior team.

Not all of them will make it, but all of them will need veteran guidance, including from Robbie Tarrant who has another year to run on his contract.

The fact is Richmond’s list will change as this era ends and enormously so if Martin decides he wants out.

The salary cap is roughly $13m and Martin is paid roughly $1.3m.

With Martin’s money, and Lambert’s and potentially Edwards’ cash, the Tigers can make a play for Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Tom Green and potentially anyone else who wants to change clubs.

Not for the first time, Richmond’s plans are in Dusty’s hands.

So it’s imperative that Martin says he’s in, or out, because no matter how much Martin has given the club throughout his remarkable career, and no matter how much he is loved, the business of football is always paramount and the Tigers have to get their ducks in a row.

Damien Hardwick has a tough job ahead trying to make this year’s finals. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Off the field, president Peggy O’Neal is retiring after nine years at the helm and 17 years on the board. She has been a superb and humble leader.

Head of fitness Peter Burge, who was key staffer in the premiership years, is departing for Hawthorn at end of the season. He’s a “phys-edder’’ of the highest quality.

The question mark is on chief executive Brendon Gale. A passionate club man with a tremendous thirst and vision for Australian rules, Gale is a strong candidate to replace Gillon McLachlan at the AFL.

If he departs, the game will be the winner and Richmond the loser.

There’s also 70-year-old guru Neil Balme, who is said to have a job for life at Tigerland and assistant coach Adam Kinglsey, who will apply for the senior jobs at North Melbourne and the Giants. Their futures could be anywhere.

The key person remaining is Damien Hardwick. The coach is contracted and committed, albeit even more grumpy of late, but that hasn’t stopped media folk suggesting he might walk away at season’s end.

His focus right now is winning the next eight games and the most unlikely of premierships. But when the slip-up comes, the reset will begin immediately: Let’s play the kids.

There’s a lot of ifs, buts and maybes in all of that, but rest assured change is coming at the Tigers. It’s only a matter of how much.

And no one needs to tell that to general manager of football talent, Blair Hartley. And what Hartley needs to know is Martin’s plans.

If Martin leaves, Hartley will have plenty of money to spend and draft picks to play with. At least two first-rounders for Martin seems right, which would give the Tigers five picks under 30 in this year’s draft, plus maybe Taranto and Hopper. And the Tigers would know that Izak Rankine hasn’t signed a new contract at the Suns just yet.

If Martin stays – and people who know him are confident he will see out the remaining two years of his contract – then the Tigers will continue to transition and contend in 2023.

Geelong has done that superbly for the past decade – transition and contend.

Richmond will hope they can do the same, with or without Dusty.

Originally published as Mark Robinson says Richmond has some big calls to make ahead of 2023