Dustin Martin remains under a huge cloud of speculation after his 300th game for Richmond at the weekend.
The Tigers superstar has been in the thick of retirement rumors in the build-up to the milestone, but dismissed any suggestion he could call it quits on the AFL after the match.
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Martin, 32, is set to play out the rest of the 2024 season with reports now emerging that a number of clubs are chasing his signature for next season.
The three-time premiership hero could be a hot commodity on the market with his contract set to expire after the 2024 season, and the Herald Sun note that several clubs have shown an interest in luring him away from Richmond.
Martin’s manager Ralph Carr confirmed the reports when asked about it during an appearance on 3AV.
“Yeah, a lot of them,” Carr said of teams inquiring about Martin’s 2025 plans.
Carr remained hopeful the star player would continue next season with negotiations pending until the season is done and dusted.
“I hope. “We often have those discussions at the end of the year and we don’t like to talk about it during the year, so it’s one of those things,” Carr said.
Although no club has been officially named, Martin has been linked with a move to the Gold Coast Suns to reunite with former coach Damian Hardwick.
The notoriously reclusive Martin has refused countless media requests in recent weeks in the build-up to his milestone match, which finally arrived in a 14.13 (97) to 6.13 (49) defeat of the Hawks at the MCG.
Martin became the seventh Tiger and the 104th player in VFL/AFL history to reach the 300-game milestone, and the champion Tiger ignited a huge crowd by kicking the opening goal just minutes into the first term.
The 32-year-old was relatively quiet from there, finishing the day with 13 touches, two marks and a clearance, but that didn’t matter to the crowd as Martin was rightly celebrated by everyone in attendance.
He also finally talked about it all, in a post-game interview with longtime teammate Jack Riewoldt.
“It’s amazing,” Martin said. “Disappointing result for the club, but I love the Tiger Army so much.” I love the club very much.
“It means the absolute world to me and all the love I’ve received this week has meant the world to me.” I felt so loved this week. I appreciate it.”
Martin then gave the audience and those watching the answer many were hoping for.
When Riewoldt said, “I look forward to seeing you in two weeks against Freo?”
Martin replied: “Yeah mate, freshen up from the bye and see how we go,” as the crowd went wild.
Martin’s future will no doubt remain in the spotlight as the AFL season continues with bottom-of-the-table Richmond.