Dustin Martin [merged]

[one-eyed]

Dear Dusty: If you walk, we will simply say thank you

In a heartfelt note to one of the game’s greatest players, Mark Robinson tells Dustin Martin that he has every right to walk away from the game.

Paywall: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/dear-dusty-if-you-decide-to-retire-we-understand-and-thank-you/news-story/de51b64a30f6661ae455079958627ffa

[one-eyed]

"People close to him expect him to come back." Robbo and Gerard discuss Dustin Martin's personal leave.

Watch here: https://twitter.com/FOXFOOTY/status/1508727378138173440

[one-eyed]

Richmond star Dustin Martin’s struggles ‘clear’ to players, club as Jack Riewoldt pleads for best mate’s privacy

Catherine Healey
Fox Sports
March 29th, 2022 8:39 pm

Richmond players saw teammate Dustin Martin was “struggling” following the shock death of his father in December, with teammate Jack Riewoldt now pleading for his best mate’s privacy.

Martin has stepped away from the game with the full support of the club, as rumours swirl he may never return to the game.

Riewoldt addressed the matter on AFL 360, and said he just wanted to see Martin find “what he needs to find”.

“I’ve text him… a lot of players have text him. He’s responded to a few guys but is taking his time to deal with what he is dealing with,” he said.

“Dusty is one of my best mates. We’ve been through obviously great experiences that people would have seen on TV, watched us in grand finals together.

“He’s a very fun loving character and that part of Dustin we haven’t seen as much of.

“I think it was probably clear to a few of us that he was really struggling before he even knew it himself. But I’m glad that he’s identified it and has not tried to push through.

“I’m glad he is identifying it and trying to fix it and trying to get himself back to being the best Dustin he can be.”

Riewoldt said there was a “fine line” for Tigers players, fans and media approaching Martin about his welfare.

“Kane Lambert, for example, he has a hip injury and every day he gets to the football club and people show care and ask him how he’s going. If you get asked 20 times during the day every day, ‘how’s your hip, how’s your hip’, it starts to become frustrating,” Riewoldt explained.

“I’m not to know that the next person's asked him about it.

“It’s a fine balancing act between reaching out to contact him and also letting him heal himself.”

Describing Martin as the “face of AFL football”, Riewoldt urged the media to give the 30-year-old space.

“How’s the media going to treat him now his mates, the club, people who know him are crying out for people to step back and leave him alone?” Riewoldt questioned.

“He could go full paparazzi – I’d be guttered and disappointed if that happened.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl360/richmond-star-dustin-martins-struggles-clear-to-players-club-as-jack-riewoldt-pleads-for-best-mates-privacy/news-story/7986e4e3589f4de12ec5664945540d44

[TigerLand]

Jack was interesting, it seems like Dusty has been noticeably struggling for a long time. I don't think we will see Dusty back for some time. Hope it turns out positive, I so desperately would love to see him back, not because he makes us better but just be a really sad way to finish off the career of the best player Ive seen in our yellow and black.

[one-eyed]

Well said be Jack last night. Good on him putting it back on the media to leave Dusty alone.

[one-eyed]

Jack Riewoldt stressed his support for Dustin Martin as the superstar Tiger takes personal leave away from the club.

"Whatever Dustin needs from us, we'll provide him," Riewoldt said.

"We're here for 'Duz' when he needs us.

"He's obviously going through his own pathway now and when that time comes that he feels comfortable to walk back, and it's got nothing to do with playing, but come back to the football club, we'll welcome him back with open arms.

"So looking forward to that day."

Source: AAP

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Meanwhile, Richmond superstar Dustin Martin is no closer to returning from personal leave.

"We have no further update at this stage. It's still at the same stage that we had last (week)," Hardwick said.

"We give him time and we wish him all the very best, and we can't wait to welcome him back at some stage.

"When that is, we're not too sure."

Hardwick chose not to disclose further details, brushing off questions about whether Martin is training while away from the club.

"I appreciate that everyone does want to know where we're at but we'll keep our cards pretty close to our chest," Hardwick said.

Source: AFL website

[Hard Roar Tiger]

I’ve never been prouder of the club.

[Andyy]

Good on your Hardwick.

Give them as little as possible

[pmac21]

Good idea to be on the front foot with the media. Well played.
I've always wondered if the players get paid when they go on personal leave, I suppose they do like any sick leave but miss out on the match payments element of their wage. 

Will be interesting to see how long this goes on for.

[mightytiges]

Heard tonight on the news them saying Dusty's situation is a "mystery" . What's mysterious about a poor bloke grieving for his late dad who was also his best mate?! What idiots!

As for journos and what they are "hearing"  - Dusty if he is talking to anyone would only be talking to those few closest to him and they wouldn’t be leaking anything. FFS, will the media just leave him alone!

[WilliamPowell]

Heard tonight on the news them saying Dusty's situation is a "mystery" . What's mysterious about a poor bloke grieving for his late dad who was also his best mate?! What idiots!

As for journos and what they are "hearing"  - Dusty if he is talking to anyone would only be talking to those few closest to him and they wouldn’t be leaking anything. FFS, will the media just leave him alone!

 

[one-eyed]

Dusty makes surprise wedding cameo

Richmond star Dustin Martin has emerged from his footy hiatus to attend his mates big day, appearing front and centre in the celebrations.

Paywall: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/fiona-byrne/richmond-superstar-dustin-martin-makes-cameo-at-friends-wedding/news-story/48c9abfeddc41ee219f08528c7ec9dba

[one-eyed]

God’s special message to Dusty

As the Dustin Martin rumour mill kicks into overdrive the longer he remains away from Richmond, Gary Ablett Sr has spoken of his own dramas before taking a break from the game.

Paywall: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/news/afl-latest-news-on-dustin-martins-personal-leave-from-footy/news-story/57f619208da1134be148232c64365915

[mightytiges]

Describing Martin as the “face of AFL football”, Riewoldt urged the media to give the 30-year-old space.

“How’s the media going to treat him now his mates, the club, people who know him are crying out for people to step back and leave him alone?” Riewoldt questioned.

“He could go full paparazzi – I’d be guttered and disappointed if that happened.”

If the media are stalking Dusty at private weddings then they have already gone full paparazzi  .

ps. Waits for the Daily Mail to publish pics taken from behind the bushes  .