Richmond superstar Dustin Martin granted personal leave one week into 2022 season
Just one week into the AFL season, Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has been granted personal leave from the club.
AFL superstar Dustin Martin will take personal leave from Richmond, effective immediately.
Martin, considered one of the greatest players of the modern era, played in the Tigers’ round 1 loss to Carlton last week but has been granted a leave of absence from the club.
Martin did not train with the Tigers on Tuesday, nor on Thursday, according to a club statement.
His coach Damien Hardwick said on Thursday he was “unsure” whether the three-time Norm Smith medallist would play against the GWS Giants this weekend.
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“It’s a personal matter … when we’ve got more information to share, we’ll share it,” Hardwick said.
“He’s just taking some personal time at the moment. He’s dealing with a couple of personal issues and whether he’s available to play this week, we’re unsure at this stage.
“We won’t close the door, but we just want to make sure that Dustin’s OK.
“Our No.1 priority is we are a football club, and it’s important to win games, but the health and wellbeing of our players is our No.1 priority.
“At this stage we’ll give him his time. He’s so important to the fabric of this footy club, and we just want to make sure he’s OK. Hopefully, he’s getting what he needs.”
A statement from the Tigers said Martin’s absence would be “short” but no timeframe has been given for his return.
Richmond could struggle to account for Martin’s absence if he were to sit out multiple games.
Martin missed the back half of the 2021 season after suffering an agonising kidney injury in the round 18 clash with Brisbane.
The Tigers floundered without him, winning just one of five games and missing the finals for the first time since 2016.
Martin lost more than 10kg after his kidney injury and recorded 21 disposals and one goal in his first game back last week.
Martin also endured a difficult off-season away from footy.
His father Shane, who had ties to the Rebels motorcycle gang, died in December at age 54.
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