Martin onright trackfor return

RICHMOND is confident Dustin Martin will be back to full running in early December, with the club saying he is “as hungry as ever” to return to his best form following a serious kidney injury.

While externally some wondered if the injury might have had a long-term impact on his dominance – coupled with his dramatic weight loss following delicate surgery to repair a lacerated kidney – the 30-year-old triple Norm Smith medallist can’t wait to get back into intense training.

Martin plans to play well into his 30s, beyond the end of his current deal, which expires at the end of the 2024 season.

He has been one of the Tigers at Punt Road across the past month, ensuring he is covering all bases as he prepares to launch his 2022 return.

“Dustin is a really resilient player, so it was almost like it (the injury) was the only way you could bring him down,” Richmond general manager of football performance Tim Livingstone said.