Tigers legend Matthew Richardson admits he “would’ve loved” watching Dustin Martin play out his career in yellow and black.
But he has wished Richmond’s triple premiership-winning superstar well in his bid to reboot his career at the Gold Coast Suns.
Martin is on the path to making his long-rumoured move north after all despite announcing his retirement from the AFL just last month.
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The 33-year-old moved out of the public eye but behind the scenes he initiated conversations with the Suns, and recently met with his long-time coach Damien Hardwick and Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans.
Martin, who was in the last year of his contract, qualifies as a free agent and can join the Suns without the need for a trade.
“I can’t say I’m entirely surprised. The rumour’s been going around for quite a while now, most of the season if not even last season,” Richardson told 7NEWS.
“(I’m) not surprised. It did feel pretty final, though, when he walked a final lap of the MCG in Round 24. But he’s obviously had some time to think about it now.
“If Dustin thinks he can get himself motivated to play AFL footy again then good luck to him. Good luck to Gold Coast Suns.”
Martin endured an injury-plagued and winless final season with the Tigers in which the high point was celebrating his 300th game.
Many thought his response to the occasion suggested he would retire on the spot but he returned after the bye, only to suffer an injury that kept him out for a month.
He returned for one final game against North Melbourne in Round 21 and two days later announced his retirement with little fanfare.
Notably, he enjoyed a warm embrace with Hardwick as he farewelled Richmond fans when he made a non-playing appearance at their final game of the season.
“I think he was just sick of the fishbowl environment in Melbourne and wasn’t enjoying it any more,” Richardson said.
“If he can find that enjoyment, but more importantly the motivation, then good luck to him and the Gold Coast Suns and of course he’ll be reunited with his old coach Damien Hardwick.”
Richardson once spoke out against the “poor advice” that led to Martin weighing up leaving Richmond, questioning why the then 22-year-old would want to leave after being supported by the club.
In the end Martin stuck fat and repaid the Tigers in spades — and Richardson says the reverse is now true after what the No.4 delivered on the field.
“If you put your Richmond hat on you would’ve loved to have seen Dustin be a Richmond player for his whole career,” Richardson said.
“But in saying that I don’t think anyone would begrudge him. I mean he won them three premierships, basically.
“Without him they mightn’t have won any of them. I don’t think there’d be too many Richmond people begrudging Dustin the opportunity to go around again somewhere else.”
Martin would be reunited with Hardwick and join Gold Coast at the same time as his premiership teammate Daniel Rioli.
Rioli, despite being contracted until the end of 2027, has already requested a trade to the Suns.