Richmond rising stars to don legendary guernseys in 2026, plus Dustin Martin spotted in private training session
Two rising stars at Punt Road will don legendary Tigers guernseys in 2026, with the famous number four and eight awarded to the next-gen. Plus, Dustin Martin has been spotted training alongside a former Pies star. Watch the video.
Richmond youngster Jonty Faull will don the famous Tigers number eight guernsey next year.
A host of Richmond legends who have worn the jumper previously including Jack Riewoldt, Michael Roach and Dick Clay gathered at Punt Road on Tuesday morning to pass on the storied guernsey to Faull.
The trio combined for more than 1500 goals and eight premierships, leaving big shoes for the young key forward to fill.
Riewoldt, who played 347 games wearing the famous number on his back, said he was looking forward to Faull taking it back to the field next year with no Tiger having worn it since he retired in 2023.
“There is no greater thrill than … seeing it back out there again,” Riewoldt said.
Faull is eager to live up to the number, acknowledging the significance of those who have donned it before him.
“If I’m half the player that they have been, I will be taking the right step,” Faull said.
He’s already pencilled in the traditional round one matchup against Carlton as his chance to do it justice.
“It’s in the calendar. I’ve put a circle around it and am pretty excited about it. I can’t wait.”
Meanwhile, the man who was drafted No.1 as a ‘Dustin Martin clone’ will replace the legendary Tiger in the #4 guernsey in 2026.
Sam Lalor, who was given the #22 for his first season at Richmond, will move into the vacant number after impressing in his maiden campaign.
The club was hesitant to give him the famous number initially and opted to avoid the added weight of expectations, but Lalor will now change lockers at Punt Road.
Martin, who retired at the end of 2024, won three premierships, three Norm Smith Medals and a Brownlow Medal in one of the greatest and accolade-ladened careers in the modern era.
It comes as Taj Hotton moved into No.10 and Luke Trainor shifted to No.11.
“There is some great (number four) history within the Club. I wore it as a kid growing up and cannot wait to wear it for the first time,” Lalor said.
“I look up to him (Martin) a lot, obviously try to base my game off him a fair bit, and he had such an impact at Richmond.
“Hopefully, I can try and play a bit like him, and yeah, he is one of the players I looked at growing up. So, it is a massive honour to wear his number.”
Dusty spotted in private training session ahead of return
Richmond legend Dustin Martin is ramping up his bid to return to the footy field after he was spotted training with fellow Brownlow medallist Dane Swan.
The triple Norm Smith medallist is tipped to take to the field for St Mary’s in the NTFL - with a round 17 clash against Waratah flagged as a likely debut date.
Swan recently made his own venture north to the NTFL, playing for Waratah against Palmerston in round 3.
It would be Martin’s first foray into local football, having not played at any level since retiring at the end of the 2024 season.
He won Norm Smith Medals in each of Richmond’s three premiership wins, as well as claiming the 2017 Brownlow in a staggering count.
Martin and Swan were spotted training at Elsternwick Park in Brighton on Tuesday morning.
Originally published as Richmond rising stars to don legendary guernseys in 2026, plus Dustin Martin spotted in private training session
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