AFL News: Eddie McGuire sends clear message to Dustin Martin as Joel Selwood makes big prediction

Eddie McGuire has claimed there are several clubs “keen” to take Richmond legend Dustin Martin on whether he decides to leave the club at the end of the year with a possible farewell to the MCG looming. Martin’s future at the Tigers has been a huge talking point this season with the The AFL great contract next year.

The greatest of all time’s form has been inconsistent in 2024 and the Tigers languish in second-to-last place in the standings. Martin’s season hit a new low this weekend when he was replaced due to a back injury. He recorded just seven disposals, the lowest number of his illustrious 301-game career.

Martin’s future is uncertain but doubts remain over whether clubs will be interested in the 33-year-old’s talents at this stage of his career. However, former Collingwood chairman McGuire said there were plenty of clubs interested in signing the superstar.

“I confirmed today that there are clubs that are interested in signing Dusty if he is available,” McGuire said on Footy on Nine. McGuire then asked Martin how he would like to go about a potential farewell to Richmond fans if he decided to leave.

There has been widespread speculation that Martin could join the Gold Coast Suns to link up with former Richmond coach Damien Hardwick. The Suns coach admitted it would be “crazy” for his team not to consider Martin if he was interested in 2025.

The Tigers will face the Suns in the final game of the 2024 regular season. And McGuire said if he were to end up at the Suns, it would be a huge departure at the MCG. He also suggested Tigers fans would not be disappointed if Martin chose to move on and allow Richmond to rebuild their team.

“Do you know who Richmond played in their last game this year?” McGuire asked the panel. “It might be the first time a player has walked out of the MCG and been applauded by 95,000 fans from both sides. It could be a very elegant descent for a guy who deserves it,” McGuire said of Martin’s decision to end his career this year or join the Suns.

Joel Selwood Makes Big Decision About Dustin Martin’s Future

Trent Cotchin said Martin needed to determine whether he had the motivation to switch clubs at 33 and start over after so long at Richmond. AFL great Joel Selwood was more blunt and said the AFL could not afford to lose Martin’s star right now.

Selwood said Martin could revitalise his career and enjoy a new challenge after so many years at the Tigers. “He’s still got a lot to offer. I think his football is better somewhere other than Richmond at the moment,” Selwood told Channel 7’s Talking Footy. Regardless of his next deal, Martin is expecting a tough end to the season after injuring his back in the loss to Carlton.

Dustin Martin to be managed after Richmond injury

Martin endured a difficult night against Carlton at the weekend, being taken off the field with a back injury in the 20.11 (131) to 10.10 (70) loss. His second-quarter withdrawal marked the first time Martin had been substituted in a game in his Tigers career.

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Richmond coach Adam Yze admitted Martin’s on-field time would have to be managed for the rest of the season after his latest setback. “He just locked himself in,” Yze said after the game. “He tried to get back on the field for an extra rotation and he just fought, so it was pointless.

“I don’t know if he’s been substituted before but against a quality team like Carlton you need 18 fit players. So the fact he put his hand up and said his back was a bit too sore is a credit to him.”