Richmond great Royce Hart makes plea for Dustin Martin to remain a one-club player

Ahead of his 300th game in the yellow and black, another Tigers legend has implored Dustin Martin to not make a move after 2024, declaring loyalty is in his nature.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 24: Dustin Martin of the Tigers celebrates with his Norm Smith Medal and Premiership Medal during the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats at The Gabba on October 24, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond legend Royce Hart has made a passionate plea to his fellow Tigers’ No. 4 great Dustin Martin to remain a one-club player and reject offers of a fresh start elsewhere.

As Martin prepares to play his 300th AFL game against Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday, there is uncertainty about what the Tigers superstar will do once his seismic seven-year deal concludes at the end of this season.

The deal, signed just before the Tigers’ drought-breaking 2017 flag, helped the club go on to a dynasty of three premierships across four seasons.

But there has been speculation on whether the soon-to-be 33-year-old could retire from the game, or be courted by a rival club in the hunt for a fourth flag, potentially from Gold Coast or even Sydney.

But Hart has cautioned Martin about what a potential move might mean, imploring the reclusive midfield/forward to remain where he is comfortable at Punt Rd and to help drive the young Tigers to create a new storyline in the future.

With the Tigers battling, Martin’s future is in question. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

“I want him to be a one-club player, that’s what I would say to Dusty,” Hart told this masthead. “It (loyalty) is in his nature.”

“I have never met him (face-to-face), but he looks like a guy who would be happy to stay.

“I reckon if he decided to go to another club, he would feel totally out of place and it wouldn’t be good for him. He doesn’t need to be doing new things, he needs to stay where he is.”

Martin almost left for North Melbourne when it offered him the biggest contract in football in late 2017, but just when most of those closest to him at the club feared he was leaving, he changed his mind and recommitted to Richmond for seven more seasons.

“He might go for the money, but I doubt it,” Hart said. “He doesn’t seem like that is the thing that drives him. He’s been on good money anyway.”

“He looks like he is helping out the young kids (at Richmond). I would love to see him stay and help them out for a few more years. He might not win another flag (in his time left), but he can help the young boys get better.

“They (Richmond) went 37 years without winning a flag and hopefully we don’t have to wait another 37 years for the next one.

Hart lives in Hobart and will watch Martin’s 300th game on television. He has never met him face-to-face, but says he will always feel connected to him by the famous No. 4 jumper they both wore.

Martin with fellow Richmond 300 game players , Kevin Bartlett, Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Francis Bourke. Picture: Michael Willson

Hart was one of Richmond’s greatest footballers in a career spanning 187 games, four premierships (two as captain), two best and fairests and selection as centre half forward in the AFL team of the century.

He was elevated to a legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2013 – an honour that could yet be Martin in the years ahead.

Hart says Martin still has a few seasons left in him and reckons he could slot into a centre half-forward or deep forward role in the years ahead.

“He is the same height as me (187cm), so I reckon he could play centre half forward in the future,” Hart said.

“He’s just been a terrific player for Richmond. He would have to be in consideration (as one of the club’s greatest players). ‘

“His ability to win the ball and finish off is incredible. Most of his disposals are to the benefit of the team. He brings other players into the game because of his talent to get the ball and his talent to get rid of it to the advantage of the side.”

Originally published as Richmond great Royce Hart makes plea for Dustin Martin to remain a one-club player