Richmond set to open contract extension talks with superstar midfielder Dustin Martin

Dustin Martin will complete his current contract at the end of next season and has been linked with a shift to the Gold Coast. But the Tigers are planning to keep him in yellow and black for life.

Richmond is poised to open contract extension talks with Dustin Martin. Picture: Michael Klein

Richmond is poised to open contract extension talks with superstar midfielder Dustin Martin.

The triple Norm Smith medallist will complete his current seven-year deal at the end of next season and has been linked to a shift to the Gold Coast Suns where former coach Damien Hardwick has taken charge.

But the Tigers are confident Martin is keen to play out his career at Punt Rd.

“Dustin is a great of our club and fully invested in helping us write the next chapter – clearly we will have discussions with his management in the not too distant future,” Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said.

“2024 will be a really exciting year for both the club and himself. His 300th game will be a great occasion but knowing Dustin he will be far more focused on the regeneration of this team under (new coach) Adem Yze.

“He played some exceptional football last season. Change creates energy and I have no doubt Dustin feels that – he is a really important and valued part of our club.”

Dustin Martin has one year remaining on his contract at the Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

Martin, 32, finished runner-up in Richmond’s best-and-fairest this season behind Greater Western Sydney recruit Tim Taranto and is just 11 matches shy of the 300-game milestone.

He signed a monster seven-year, $9 million deal on the eve of the 2017 finals before leading the Tigers to three flags in four years.

Just six players – Kevin Bartlett, Jack Dyer, Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin, Francis Bourke and Shane Edwards – have played 300 or more games for the Tigers.

Yze is expected to introduce a revamped game style next season based on the method deployed by his former club Melbourne.

Star forward Tom Lynch is on track to make a full recovery from a broken foot that ruined his 2023 season, while young defender Josh Gibcus is also on the mend after missing the entire year with a damaged hamstring tendon.