Jack Riewoldt has backed Dustin Martin to remain with Richmond on the same day as former Tiger Brett Deledio cast doubts on his future.
The three-time Norm Smith Medalist and premiership star is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and will not be seen again in the home and away season, but could return if the Tigers make the finals.
Riewoldt says it was a “smart move” by the club to announce Martin’s injury status so he can focus on getting himself fit for week one of the finals if they are lucky enough to be there.
“He just hasn’t been able to increase his running speed,” Riewoldt said on SEN Tassie.
“He’s had a couple of recurrences of just some awareness around the hamstring.
“The idea around it is to take away from the want to get him back and people trying to get information about when he’s going to get back. Even for himself to can the home and away season, let’s set all our sights on the first end if it comes to fruition.
“That gives you another week in between the home and away season and leading into a first final. I think it’s a smart move just for his own mental game to know that I’ve got four weeks to get myself right.
“Hopefully we’re there and hopefully he can come in and have a big impact. Smart move from the football club to take away all the innuendo about when he’s going to come back.”
Martin’s name continues to be included in trade speculation with some predicting he will leave Punt Road at the end of this year.
But from what Riewoldt has seen of Martin, he is confident the superstar is “all-in” at Richmond.
He was asked if we will see the 2017 Brownlow Medalist in Tigers colors again.
“I can’t see a reason why we wouldn’t,” he added.
“His buy-in has been great lately, he’s really invested in getting himself back out on the track which is the most important thing.
“He looks all-in.”
However, former teammate Deledio has his doubts.
The 243-game Tiger sees the Martin situation as “eerily similar” to his own when he experienced soft tissue injuries late in his career before joining GWS prior to the 2017 season.
“I’m a bit skeptical about the whole thing,” Deledio told abc sports.
“I’m not saying that it’s not a hammy, but I’m always nervous about players when there’s a bit of noise about them leaving and whatever else, and then it’s the convenience of, ‘Oh, he’s out, but he will play if there’s endings’.
“I don’t know. I’m just hearing a bit of noise around the big fella and I’m not sure I’m convinced on everything that’s going on.”
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Deledio wouldn’t be surprised if Martin were to up and leave the club even after hearing CEO Brendon Gale suggest he’s going nowhere.
“I think there’s a chance (he leaves),” he added.
“I’m just hearing some things out there. In saying that, I sat right next to Brendon Gale and he said, ‘He’s a Richmond person and he’s contracted for the next two years and (we’ll) be buggered if we’re going to be paying some of his wage for a good player like him to go and play at some other club’.
“If someone wanted to come and get him they’d have to pay a pretty hefty price in terms of draft picks and his salary, which you’d assume was back-ended.
“Don’t hang me on it, but I’m just reading the tea leaves a little bit.
“It’s a bit similar to my situation when I left. I had the calf (issues) and probably could have come back but then didn’t and then made my mind up that I was ready for a change.
“It’s just easier to sit out. We were never going to play finals, so that’s hanging over the head a little bit, but it just seems eerily similar.”
Martin, 31, is contracted with Richmond until 2024.
The Tigers meet Hawthorn on Sunday and a win would all but secure their spot in the top eight leading Round 23.
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