Richmond coach Damien Hardwick confirms Dustin Martin comeback news

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has confirmed rumblings about Dustin Martin as Richmond prepares to face Collingwood on Saturday.

Dustin Martin is one the comeback trail. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has confirmed Dustin Martin will return to the side for this weekend’s blockbuster clash against Collingwood.

Martin hasn’t played since taking personal leave following the Tigers’ round 1 loss to Carlton to deal with the death of his father.

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Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Hardwick revealed the triple Norm Smith medallist would be wearing the yellow and black guernsey again on Saturday.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming him back,” Hardwick said.

Martin made an unannounced return to training last week and has powered through enough work to make his comeback against the Magpies.

Richmond’s physical performance manager Peter Burge said earlier this week Martin had completed a “huge workload” to bring himself back up to AFL speed and is set to boost a Tigers line-up in form following a 109-point thumping of West Coast last weekend.

“Dustin’s been training with us now for a week and a half,” Burge said.

“He completed quite a big session out here with the other guys who didn’t have a game last week and he did a huge workload in terms of total kilometres, some intensity, some handball games, match simulation-type training.

“He’s looking really good to potentially be available for selection this week.

“We’ve got another main session on Thursday and all being great in that, then I’d anticipate he would be up for selection.”

Everyone wants to see Dusty back in action. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Hardwick said last week Martin would be in a position to return when he was fully prepared — and didn’t consider easing the midfielder back into things via the VFL.

“We’d probably be doing us and him a disservice if we put him out there without the preparation he needs,” Hardwick told reporters in Perth.

“He’s an important player and, to be honest, half a Dustin Martin is probably going to be better than the vast majority of AFL players but we just want to make sure when we get him back, he’s ready to go.”

Hardwick and senior club advisor Neil Balme both indicated last week Martin was in a much better place mentally after his break from football.

“He’ll have his good and his bad days, like most people going through that situation,” Hardwick said.

“At this stage, it’s more good than bad, so we just continue to encourage and support and put an arm around him where we need to.

“But he’s in a lot better space than he has been, which is a real positive for us and I think the footy world in general.”

With Marc McGowan, NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Richmond coach Damien Hardwick confirms Dustin Martin comeback news