‘Extraordinary’: Bombers legend says Dustin Martin bombshell is ‘on the table’

A footy legend has made a sensational call about what is happening behind the scenes with Dustin Martin after an “extraordinary” comment.

Dustin Martin with the Tiger army. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Bombers legend Tim Watson believes Dustin Martin and Richmond have had a conversation about him departing the club.

The footy world was thrown into a spin on Tuesday when Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said he wouldn’t stand in Martin’s way if the triple Norm Smith medallist wanted to move elsewhere.

It comes after persistent rumours about Martin’s desire to live in Sydney having spent time away in the Harbour City recently.

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Watson spoke with Melbourne Demons great Garry Lyon on their SEN Breakfast radio show on Wednesday morning — and their analysis of the situation may concern Tigers fans.

Watson called Hardwick’s comments during his weekly press conference “extraordinary”.

“In the time that Dustin (Martin) was away, I think they’ve had all these sorts of discussions, about what he’s doing, how he’s feeling, where he wants to play his football, where he may want to live,” he said.

“All those sorts of things, I think they’ve been on the table.

Richmond’s favourite son. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“It may have been brought up that Dustin would like to at some point move away from Melbourne and out of the bubble, and he might like to finish his career up in Sydney.

“I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that conversation has taken place somewhere at Richmond.”

He said Hardwick’s statement “makes you think that it’s a possibility”.

It comes after football icon Leigh Matthews was on Tuesday night baffled by Hardwick’s public statement.

“I reckon it’s a first (time I can remember) a coach said that ‘if one of my players leaves, I would support him’,” he said on Sportsday.

“I thought it was a very strange thing to say to be honest – I don’t think know whether I’d be saying that (Richmond) would support him no matter what and (Martin) would go with their blessing, it’s a very unusual comment.

“If anything, I would’ve thought it may open the door up to the thought that Dustin Martin may look to go elsewhere during his career.”

Speculation surrounding Martin’s future has continued to spiral after his manager Ralph Carr said last year the Brownlow medallist had “two years to go at Richmond”.

Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale has since stressed Martin remains contracted through to the end of the 2024 season.

Dustin Martin has made a bang since coming back for the Tigers. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Martin already rejected significant overtures from rival clubs to ink a seven-year megadeal with Richmond in 2017, with North Melbourne going the closest to prying him from Punt Road.

Asked about that possibility on Tuesday, Hardwick said he hoped that would not eventuate but that the 30-year-old had already given the Tigers so much in his 263 games since being the No. 3 pick in the 2009 draft.

“What I will say is he’s a very important player to our footy club, both on the field and off the field, and what he gives us, he’s paid us in spades,” he said.

“Whatever Dustin’s decision is moving forward is up to Dustin and, to be honest, he has my blessing. What he’s given me, us, our fans has been incredible.

“Whatever we get from here on is a real bonus, from my point of view, so I just luckily, like the rest of us, get to see him on a weekly basis perform and train the way he does.

“He was a little bit sore last week – he’ll never put up his hand and say it – but coming back and playing his first game for five weeks, he was a little bit underdone, but he’s better again this week, which is really important.

“What I do know is he’s a Richmond player, a required Richmond player, obviously, and a very important Richmond player. I’m just glad he’s out there playing this week.”