Dustin Martin on indefinite leave from Richmond as he mourns father Shane

Richmond has strongly denied speculation Dustin Martin could quit football as he takes an indefinite break from the game to mourn his father Shane.

Dustin Martin is on personal leave from Richmond. Picture: Getty Images

Richmond champion Dustin Martin is on indefinite leave as he continues to deal with the loss of his father.

The triple Norm Smith medallist is understood to be besieged by grief since Shane Martin – also his best friend – died in his native New Zealand in December of a suspected heart attack.

Martin was unable to join family and friends in New Zealand at the time because borders were closed due to Covid-19.

People close to the 2017 Brownlow medallist have spoken about how the realisation of his father’s death has severely affected Martin in the past three weeks.

They have also said that Martin has struggled for motivation to train or play and has started to isolate himself in that difficult time.

News of Martin’s shock break from the game emerged at Richmond training on Thursday.

There was speculation on Friday that he could walk away permanently, but the Tigers have strongly denied this.

Dustin Martin is on personal leave from Richmond. Picture: Getty Images

Martin missed the final five matches last season with a lacerated kidney.

He was admitted to intensive care, lost 10kg and was unable to complete contact drills for three months.

But Martin made a full recovery and was Richmond’s best in two pre-season practice matches, and gathered 21 possessions in the club’s round 1 loss to Carlton.

The 30-year-old is contracted until 2024.

While that seems a long way away for a player who has taken leave just one game into a season, those close to Martin do not believe he will forever be lost to the game.

Another of the game’s modern greats, Cyril Rioli, did retire suddenly in 2018.

Rioli, a four-time premiership star and Norm Smith Medallist, was contracted until 2020, but played the first four matches of 2018 before calling time in July that year.

The Tigers will front up without Martin, Dion Prestia (hamstring), Jack Riewoldt (thumb) and Nick Vlastuin (hamstring) against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday as they fight to avoid a 0-2 start for the first time since 2012.

Martin missed two training sessions this week and it is understood he will not attend Saturday’s captain’s run at Punt Rd or the round 2 match against the Giants.

Martin is bound to become a Richmond legend and AFL Hall of Fame member.

The explosive match-winner was expected to play more midfield minutes this season after an impressive summer.

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Coach Damian Hardwick said on Thursday that the club would throw their arms around their best player.

“He’s dealing with a couple of personal issues and whether he’s available to play this week, we’re unsure at this stage,” Hardwick said.

“We won’t close the door (on playing against the Giants), but we just want to make sure that Dustin’s OK.”

Martin officially pulled out on Friday and was replaced by youngster Will Martyn in the extended squad.

The Tigers also dropped Jake Aarts. They brought back wingman Kamdyn McIntosh, Thomson Dow and Matt Parker.

“He’s (McIntosh) important to the way we structure up and the way we go about it,” Hardwick said.

“I thought we missed him last week.”

Dustin Martin is on personal leave from Richmond. Picture: Getty Images

Tigers mids challenged to bounce back

Richmond’s midfield has been challenged to respond after last week’s clearance crunching by Carlton, coach Damien Hardwick has declared, with pride at the forefront for the Tigers to rebuild.

The Blues proved dominant at stoppages and nullified Richmond’s midfielders’ ability to win the ball, prompting suggestions of “impotence in the centre square” from Hall of Fame member Jason Dunstall.

Just three Tigers notched 20 or more touches last week, and Hardwick has backed his team to bounce back against the Giants — another difficult midfield to counter — at the MCG on Sunday.

“I love it (that it’s another strong outfit to face). Absolutely,” Hardwick said.

“Our players are a proud bunch. They were disappointed with the way that part of our game around stoppages panned out, so we’re looking for a response.”

Hardwick said the implementation of the 6-6-6 rule and its subsequent effect as a scoring source had “dramatically affected” his team’s approach to defending behind the ball.

“We’ve got to get better at that part of the game,” he said.

Trent Cotchin is under the microscope after a poor showing against the Blues. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s something we’ve known for a period of time and we’ve done some work on, but we just couldn’t execute on (last) Thursday night.

“But we look forward to a better and proud response this coming Sunday.”

Hardwick said he did not intend to swing wholesale changes despite the comprehensive defeat in the middle,

Midfielder Dion Prestia won’t play after injuring his hamstring last week.

He ran laps at training on Thursday morning alongside defender Nick Vlastuin, who missed the clash with Carlton with a hamstring complaint.

Forward Jack Riewoldt also ran laps after surgery on his broken thumb.

Former skipper Trent Cotchin came under the microscope after his 14-disposal showing against Carlton, but Hardwick tipped the premiership skipper to rebound strongly.

“People have got to realise that stats are important, but they’re only part of the fabric of the game,” he said.

“Trent does a lot of things that people wouldn’t see.

“Did he have his best game on the weekend? No. Could he play better? Absolutely. But he’s a proud man, he understands that, and he’ll get better and bring his best game this weekend.”