Is Dustin Martin Leaving Richmond?

Australian rules football player, Dustin Martin, is taking leave away from the club for personal reasons, the club Richmond has confirmed

The three-time Norm Smith Medal winner hasn’t been sighted at Punt Road since Monday and missed the club’s last two training sessions in the build-up to their clash with the Giants.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick told reporters Martin was dealing with a “personal matter” and the club was “unsure” whether he’ll be available to play on Sunday.

“He’s dealing with a couple of personal issues and whether he is available to play this week, we’re unsure at the moment,” Hardwick said.

“We won’t close the door, but we just want to make sure that Dustin’s OK … we are a football club, and it is important to win games but the health and wellbeing of our players is our No.1 priority.

“We’ll give him his time. He’s so important to the fabric of our footy club, we just want to make sure he’s OK and he’s getting what he needs.”

Martin tragically lost his father over the off-season and is coming off a difficult year on the field in which his 2021 campaign was cut short by a kidney injury.

The likely unavailability of Martin comes as the Tigers remain without two premiership stars in Jack Riewoldt (thumb) and Dion Prestia (hamstring) heading into the clash with the Giants as the club looks to avenge their round one loss to Carlton.