Dusty's future no clearerAdem Yze is confident Dustin Martin will see out the season but is unsure what his future holds beyond the next three games
By AAP
4 August 2024RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin is committed to playing out the remainder of the season, coach Adem Yze says, amid ongoing speculation around his future.
After five weeks out with a back injury, Martin returned to action against North Melbourne on Saturday but couldn't lift the Tigers to a much-needed victory.
They sit bottom of the ladder with just two wins for the year after the 13-point defeat to the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium.
Martin kicked 0.2 from 16 disposals and was lively early, but ran out of steam towards the end of the match.
It remains to be seen whether the three-time Norm Smith medallist will play on next season - either with Richmond or another club - or call time on his glittering career.
"We're always in ongoing talks and it was great to have him back in there today and for some of our younger players to play beside him," Yze said.
"His knowledge and the way he sees the game is really strong and for Steely Green to learn off him on the run is just going to be invaluable for him.
"But we're in constant dialogue with him about how his body's feeling and how he's going to finish off the season.
"He's committed to finishing off the season and whatever happens after that will happen."
Pressed on whether he felt Martin might extend his career, Yze could not give a firm answer.
"Not around whether he's going to go on or not - it's just around the fact he's got some energy to finish off the season," Yze said.
"That's all I can ask and he showed some of the old Dusty moves today.
"He was a bit frustrated that he couldn't finish some of his work, but he has had an interrupted couple of months really, so he got a little bit tired towards the end of the game.
"He'll be better for the run and we've got an eight-day break leading into the St Kilda game so we're really looking forward to him playing his best."
https://www.afl.com.au/news/1186225/richmond-tigers-star-dustin-martin-future-no-clearer-north-melbourne-kangaroos-prioritising-wins-over-draft-picks