New Richmond coach Adem Yze wants to make sure superstar Dustin Martin “is happy” under his regime and ends his career in yellow and black as the club opens talks on a new deal to make him a Tiger for life.
Martin, 32, is entering the final year of a monster seven-year contract in 2024 and has been linked to a possible move to the Gold Coast to link up with former coach Damien Hardwick.
The Brownlow medallist will join the 300 club at Richmond next season in a squad now without a host of his premiership teammates, including Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin. Richmond will soon open negotiations with Martin’s management over a new deal to make him a one-club player.
Yze said he would play little part in Martin’s decision-making, hoping the environment he creates in his first pre-season and into his maiden year in charge would encourage Martin to finish his career at Punt Road.
“We want Dusty to be happy and we want him to enjoy his footy,” Yze said on Wednesday.
“We want him to train well and play well.
“I’m not going to put pressure on a timeline of him making that decision.
“It’s a big decision for him. I just hope that he gets the right feeling about not only myself but our coaching staff.
“He’s an amazing Richmond person and we hope he’s a Richmond man forever.
“That’s going to be his decision, but my job is to give him the environment that he enjoys and knows that he can keep improving (here).”
Martin was back in training with his teammates on Wednesday, having returned for another pre-season in good shape.
Meanwhile, star forward Tom Lynch continues to overcome a foot injury that derailed his 2023 campaign.
Yze said Lynch, who kicked 63 goals from 19 games in 2022 but managed just four games in 2023, was “ticking all the right boxes.”
But a plan B is being worked on that could involve defender Noah Balta going forward and former Hawk Jacob Koschitzke also filling a role.
“There might be some changes in personnel and positions and that will come out in the near future,” Yze said.
“We are not going to disclose those right now, but we are tinkering with what our best positions are. Tom Lynch is obviously a big pillar in that and if he is not available (early), then some of the kids will also get a bigger go.”
Yze will go up against Hardwick in the opening round of the 2024 season when the Tigers clash with the Suns on the Gold Coast in the opening round.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ70qmmq6xflrOte9GimqGln6OxbsPAp6usZZSqwLW1zWakmqqknrtuwM5mmZ5lmJa9scWMmqpmrJiaxm681KyfZp6fp3qiec2ermabn6PBs63CrWannaeoerTAzquwaGyWbLNzsJNqb5tsk26udX6PcJpuamKWhqOulnCda56T