'Delicate conversation': New revelation about Dustin Martin's return to Richmond
The Richmond Tigers are reportedly keen on bringing club legend Dustin Martin back into the fold in a mentoring role with the AFL legend stepping away from all duties in 2025. Martin stunned fans in 2024 having called time on his AFL career with three games left in the Tigers' season.
Fans were able to send Martin off with a special tribute after the final game of the season at the MCG. While there were talks Martin could join the Suns in 2025, nothing came of the move with the Tigers legend enjoying retirement.
Martin was also linked to the Fox Sports commentary team for 2025, but has again stepped back from all duties. However, veteran AFL reporter Caroline Wilson has suggested Richmond are very keen on bringing the legend back into the fold in a mentoring capacity.
Richmond sit in 16th on the AFL ladder with just three wins in 11 games. The Tigers have looked uninspired so far in 2025 as their young squad gets to grips with the rigours of AFL footy. Martin was seen in the Tigers dressing room two weeks ago having celebrated a milestone with one of his old teammates.
And Wilson revealed the club is very interested in brining the legend back into the fold. However, Wilson claimed it was a 'delicate conversation' for the club to undertake with the AFL icon and his manager Ralph Carr. "Richmond is hoping to bring Dustin back into the camp in some official way...what Richmond want, and let's face it their skills need a bit of work, is they would love Dustin there as a mentor to this brilliant group of young players," Wilson said on Channel 7.
Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes didn't think Martin would take a skills coach role having stepped back from footy. "Is Dustin Martin up for this? He didn't strike me as a coach that would be invested in doing this," Cornes said of Martin being a skills coach.
But he did agree Martin would be very useful as a mentor around the club with so many Tigers players needing guidance. Richmond sit 10th in the league for disposal efficiency and 17th for handball efficiency. Against Essendon last week, the Tigers had 17 unforced turnovers.
"They would love Dustin there as a mentor to this brilliant group of young players."Caroline Wilson on Richmond wanting Dustin Martin involved as a coach 👇 pic.twitter.com/EoBonV2O56
— 7AFL (@7AFL) May 26, 2025
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Despite some poor results, Wilson was referring to Richmond's recent haul at the drafts. And the likes of Kane McAuliffe and Kaleb Smith have stood up in recent weeks. Both were impressive in last week's loss to Essendon and would thrive under the guidance of club icon Martin.
The Tigers season has gone from bad to worse in recent weeks with their No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor set to miss six weeks of action with a hamstring injury. Lalor was carrying the injury before he was drafted, but scans showed he had re-injured his hamstring against Essendon last Friday.
Last year, Martin raised eyebrows when a 'secret' meeting was captured between the former player and some high-level executives. Martin met with Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley, Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany and Fox Sports expert Jack Riewoldt with many speculating the Richmond legend was set to make a move to the commentary box.
At the time, Crawley said they would keep 'chipping away' at Martin with a relationship starting to build. But ahead of the current season, Martin was not included in the Fox Sports line-up and is enjoying his time away from the game.
Martin's potential move into commentary is a slight surprise with the 33-year-old often a reserved character during his playing days. The Richmond great shied away from interviews throughout his illustrious career and was not one to steal the limelight.
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