Claims Dustin Martin has 'checked out' after Richmond 'didn't know' about questionable move

Richmond are being urged to pull Dustin Martin into line after it emerged the club didn't know he played golf last week despite not being available for their clash against Port Adelaide. Martin missed a third-straight game due to a dodgy back, but questions are being asked about his commitment after it was revealed he travelled to New Zealand last week and then played golf on Wednesday when he got back.

Martin was subbed out of the Tigers' game against Fremantle last month due to back spasms, and hasn't played since. That came one week after emotional scenes at the MCG for his 300th career game.

But claims have now emerged that he's "checked out" of Richmond and their flagging season, with the club sitting dead last with two wins and 16 losses. "Richmond's public position is, 'there's nothing to see here, we still hope and expect him to play this week and for the remainder of his contract'," Sam McClure said on 'Footy Classified' on Channel 9 on Monday night. "There is frustration building internally with how the last few weeks has played (out) with Dustin Martin."

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McClure claimed Richmond "didn't know" Martin played golf last week - a questionable move considering his dodgy back - and the club would like him to play at least one more game this year before he either retires or plays on at a different club in 2025. "Richmond would like for him to play at least one more time, a farewell game," McClure said.

"He won't play at Punt Road beyond this season. Clearly, with his lack of training and lack of coming to the club in the last weeks, he has, to some degree, checked out of that part of his career."

Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd described the situation as a "circus" and said it would have been perfect for Martin to bow out after his 300th game. "I don't know if they need another game, because he's already had such an amazing farewell against Hawthorn," he said. "What a time that would have been, when he waved to everyone (at the MCG)."

Adam Yze urged to have tough conversation with Dustin Martin

Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes said Richmond coach Adam Yze needs to have an honest conversation with Martin and lay down the law. "They've been too respectful with him," Cornes said. "He needs to say 'this is what we expect if you want to be a Richmond footballer'. For Adam Yze, he's got to stand for something."

Speaking after their loss to Port Adelaide, Yze slapped down the speculation around Martin. “I don’t really care what other people say … he needed some time away,” Yze said of the New Zealand trip. “He wasn’t going to be available to play, so he got away and spent some time with family, and he’ll come back into our program and try to get fit for the next game.

“The week before he had some time away, his back was a bit crook, so he’s come back and he will hopefully train this week and hopefully be available for the Collingwood game. He was a bit sore the other day when he did get back and couldn’t finish training, so we need a full week of training for him to be available.”

Yze has previously said he doesn't mind Martin playing golf because it allows him to connect with Richmond teammates on a level he wouldn't otherwise. "It's actually been very good for him for the last couple years, taking up something outside of footy," the coach said.

"And not only that, he connects with our players. So he's been able to play with Rhyan Mansell and some of our younger players. For them to go and walk 18 holes with one of the best players to ever play game - not golf - that's been great."