Dustin Martin decision made on verge of 300-game milestone

Amid rumours Dustin Martin could retire as soon as he plays game 300, the Tigers have confirmed when and where that should be.

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin is set to play his 300th game at what could be a packed MCG after the triple-premiership winner was ruled out of Thursday’s clash with Adelaide.

Coach Adem Yze confirmed the news and also revealed increasing levels of abuse towards Marlion Pickett was behind his gesture to the crowd last week.

While they will be without both Martin and Pickett, who has injured his calf, for the Adelaide Oval clash, the Tigers should be boosted by the return of midfield bulls Dion Prestia and Tim Taranto, as well as Shai Bolton.

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Yze had flagged the short turnaround after last Saturday’s loss to Geelong would have made it hard for 32-year-old Martin to get up for the clash.

But on Tuesday morning he revealed the Brownlow medallist was “ill” and not able to train with his teammates, so the “decision’s sort of been made for us”.

“He’s a bit crook today. We’ve only got one training session,” Yze said on Tuesday.

Dustin Martin will likely play his 300th game at the MCG. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

“It was always going to be based on how he got through today, but he’s actually ill today, so that’s taken out of our hands.

“He’ll miss this weekend and the silver lining to that is the fact that he’ll get to play his 300th in front of our crowd against the Hawks next week.”

Martin, in the final year of a seven-year deal, remains the source of speculation about his future beyond 2024, with suggestions he could retire as soon as he plays game 300 before possibly linking up with former coach Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast in 2025.

The move for Martin to miss this week’s clash and bring up his 300th milestone at the MCG has received a mixed response.

Footy reporter Tom Morris slammed the plan on Channel 9’s Footy Furnace, stating winning should be put above any milestone, which Geelong great Jimmy Bartel strongly refuted on the same program.

Dusty had shown improved form in recent weeks. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

Fans were also divided when commenting on Richmond’s official post on the news on X.

“The right decision to get this legend in front of a packed MCG,” one wrote.

“Should be playing in Adelaide, team first. Celebrate his 301st at the G. Shame,” added another.

The Richmond great has shown solid form in recent weeks, kicking five goals over his past two matches against Essendon and the Cats.

Martin’s absence will be countered by the returns of the senior trio of Prestia, Bolton and Taranto, with the latter sidelined since round five due to a wrist injury.

“If he’s confident with his wrist, we feel like he’s ready to go,” Yze said of Taranto.

Pickett could miss a “couple of weeks” after hurting his calf against the Cats, and he also earned a chat from the coach after giving an obscene gesture – sticking up his middle finger – to the crowd as he left the field.

The AFL is set to ask Marlion Pickett for a please explain after he was caught making an obscene gesture towards the crowd last night. @NatYoannidis#9Newspic.twitter.com/G60LB16JcA

— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) June 2, 2024

Yze said Pickett, who is facing charges stemming from his arrest in June last year for allegedly being involved in a spate of commercial burglaries in Perth during the Christmas period of 2022, was trying to deal with increased scrutiny from opposition fans.

The case was adjourned by consent for the seventh time in the Perth Magistrates Court last week but Yze said Pickett was doing his best to deal with the issues.

“He has copped a bit the last few weeks based on what’s happening off-field with him,” he said.

“He’s just dealing with a bit and people are letting him know about that. We are supporting him through that.

“He’s been coping with it well, that process is bubbling along in the background, but you wouldn’t notice.”

Originally published as Dustin Martin decision made on verge of 300-game milestone