AFL 2022: Richmond superstar Dustin Martin on top of issues that forced break from game

Dustin Martin’s return to football was always on his terms, so his presence at training means he’s ready to go.

Dusty Martin has returned to training and will play ‘as soon as possible’. Picture: David Crosling

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin could make his much-anticipated return as soon as next week against Collingwood – and it won’t be via the VFL.

Coach Damien Hardwick said Martin moved well at training this week but the Tigers weren’t taking any risks bringing him in too soon after his extended time away mourning his late father Shane’s death.

The three-time Norm Smith medallist hasn’t played since Richmond’s round 1 defeat to Carlton but made a surprise training return on his own last Saturday before rejoining his teammates in recent days.

“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.

“There’s a strong possibility it will be the Collingwood game (on May 7), but once again, we’ll have a better understanding of that next week.”

Dusty Martin at Richmond training on Tuesday. Picture: David Crosling

Asked if Martin might resume at second-tier level, Hardwick quipped that the champion Tiger “wouldn’t even know what that is”.

The 30-year-old will complete a significant training session on Friday that will be the start of his bid to face the Magpies on Saturday week.

“He’ll start to push his case from there but we just have to get some footy into him,” Hardwick said.

“He’s been training hard away from the footy club but he hasn’t been doing a lot of football work and that’s the one thing that can bring players undone, so we’ll give him his very best chance to play.

“Our fans are dying for him to play and it was amazing the energy he brought (from) being around the place last week. It certainly gave us a much-needed boost on that front.”

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

Martin could play next week. Picture: David Crosling

“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.”

Richmond made five changes from last week for Friday night’s clash with West Coast at Perth Stadium, including recalling Dylan Grimes and Kane Lambert and managing Trent Cotchin and Robbie Tarrant.

Sydney Stack, Maurice Rioli and Ivan Soldo also come into the Tigers’ team.

“Our best footy, I think, is still in front of us,” Hardwick said.

“We’ve made some changes this week to the side – we’ve injected some speed – so we’re really excited about what that’s going to look like come (Friday night).”