AFL 2021: Injured Richmond star Dustin Martin will fly to New Zealand to be reunited with father Shane

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has boarded a flight to New Zealand amid warnings he will not receive special treatment if he is stuck abroad.

Dustin Martin has boarded his international flight and will touch down in New Zealand on Wednesday afternoon, having secured clearance from Richmond to visit his father, Shane, while he recovers from concussion.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said the club’s risk analysis showed Martin was a “low probability” of getting stranded overseas or having to quarantine for 14 days on return due to a sudden COVID-19 outbreak.

“It’s a no-brainer for us,” Hardwick said on Wednesday.

“It’s a little bit challenging in these COVID times, but we will always support our player who wants to see his family.

“It’s a young man who wants to go and see his father. He hasn’t seen him for well over 12 months.

“We won’t stand in the way of that.”

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Shane Martin was deported from Australia in 2016 and his attempts to re-enter have all been blocked.

Martin’s mum Kathy and nan Lois have witnessed his Grand Final heroics, however Shane has been absent from all three.

Martin, 29, ran laps on Tuesday and the Tigers expect him to return in next week’s Grand Final rematch against Geelong.

It will be a relatively short trip for Martin, who has to be back training at Punt Rd before the May 7 blockbuster against the Cats.

Dustin Martin will fly to New Zealand to visit his dad, Shane, despite the risk of being stranded due to COVID restrictions.

AFL rules stipulate that Martin must complete multiple training sessions, including a contact session, before he can return from concussion.

Hardwick said it should be an improved version of Martin, with the enforced concussion break set to allow time for a foot injury that has hampered his explosive power to heal.

Martin will become the first AFL player to stamp his passport since the COVID-19 pandemic hit more than 12 months ago.

The AFL has told the Tigers that there will be no special treatment for Martin should the trans-Tasman bubble burst while he is abroad.

“There is a very, very small probability that happens,” Hardwick said.

“You can live your life in fear, or you can choose to live. We choose to live.”

A concussed Martin makes his way to the bench with the club doctor during the third quarter. Picture: Michael Klein

The game’s only three-time Norm Smith Medallist was held to just four kicks by Melbourne tagger Michael Hibberd on Saturday night before he was diagnosed with concussion during the third quarter.

Martin was flat about his performance in the 34-point loss earlier this week, however teammates were quick to remind Martin that he has been the backbone of their finals glory.

Hardwick said Shai Bolton, Jason Castagna and Shane Edwards were candidates to cover Martin’s midfield role against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

Bolton, who falls out of contract this year, filled in against the Demons once Martin was removed from the game.

The 3-3 Tigers appear vulnerable given they will be missing triple-premiership stars Dion Prestia, Kane Lambert, Nick Vlastuin and Martin in Round 7.

Hardwick said the undefeated Dogs “look a million bucks” with their high-possession game proving unstoppable after Round 6.

But Hardwick said he would back his team’s “blitz pressure” system to crack the Dogs’ control under the MCG’s bright lights on Friday night.

He also announced Riley Collier-Dawkins, the No.20 pick in the star-studded 2018 draft, will make his senior debut on Friday night.

Originally published as AFL 2021: Injured Richmond star Dustin Martin will fly to New Zealand to be reunited with father Shane