Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says superstar Dustin Martin is looking better than ever

As Damien Hardwick continues negotiations to extend his tenure at Tigerland, he has warned Dustin Martin is primed for a stellar 2021.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin, best afield in three grand finals, is looking better than ever

Triple premiership coach Damien Hardwick has an ominous warning for the Tigers’ flag rivals on the eve of a season in which Richmond will bid for a third premiership in succession.

The 48-year-old, who has led Richmond to flags in three of the past four seasons, said superstar Tiger Dustin Martin is moving better than he ever has on the field leading into a season.

Hardwick’s bid to lead Richmond to a hat-trick of premierships begins on Thursday night when they play Carlton in the return of football to the MCG for the first time since last July.

A sellout crowd of 50,000 fans, which is the maximum under current COVID-safe protocols in Victoria, will watch Richmond unfurl their past two premiership banners at the MCG.

Should Martin shine again in 2021, the Tigers will take a significant step towards achieving their goal, such is his dominance when at the peak of his powers.

The 29-year-old was the difference in last year’s grand final against Geelong at the Gabba, kicking four goals in a performance that saw him become the first player to be best afield in three grand finals.

Hardwick believes the 2017 Brownlow Medallist, who is rated at $9 to claim the honour in 2021, is set for another outstanding season, saying he is quicker than ever.

“He has had an incredible pre-season,” Hardwick said. “I say it every year. The reason he is one of the best players in the competition is that he is self-driven and he tries to improve every facet of his game every year.

“He is a wonderful player. He is very, very easy to coach and I think he is going to have a good year for us once again.

“His fitness work this year has been phenomenal. It is one area I have noticed that he has put a lot of work into and we are seeing the benefits of that.

“He is always challenging our fitness guys to let him do more, which is really impressive from our point of view.”

It was reported the tenure of Hardwick, who is already Richmond’s longest-serving coach after taking charge at Punt Rd in 2010, will be extended until 2024.

The Tigers said late on Tuesday that no contract had yet been signed and they were not in a position to confirm an extension.

Hardwick’s position was discussed at board level late last year despite the Tigers’ remarkable record in recent seasons.

The senior coach is now in a relationship with Alexandra Crow, a fellow employee at Richmond, after separating from his wife Danielle last year.

In a statement at the time, Richmond said: “The club has no concerns with this under club policy. Beyond this, it is a private matter and we ask that privacy be respected.”

Hardwick, who played in premierships with Essendon and Port Adelaide, said earlier this year he would like to think Richmond will be the only club he coaches.

“I’d like to end at Richmond,” he said. “Footy clubs are a by-product of their people and I am lucky to work with wonderful people who make it what it is.

“You love coming to work every day. We work incredibly hard but we have a lot of fun doing it.”

Richmond are the $4.50 favourite to claim the 2021 premiership ahead of last year’s runners-up Geelong ($5.50), with Brisbane and Port Adelaide listed at $7.50.

If successful, they would become the third side after Brisbane and Hawthorn to win three premierships in succession this century.

A fourth flag in five seasons would place them among the great sides in history.

Hardwick said he was fortunate the club had several champions who were motivated to create history.

They include Martin, three-time premiership skipper Trent Cotchin, spearhead Jack Riewoldt and defender Dylan Grimes leading the push on the field.

“I am very fortunate with the leaders that we have,” he said. “There is not a lot of motivation I have to put on the plate for our players. They are very driven, our guys. They come back incredibly hungry each year. They love the game.

“They love the processes (and the way) we go about it, and the outcome of that is hopefully winning.”