AFL superstar Dustin Martin has been spotted ‘taking a little holiday’ on the Gold Coast, sparking speculation he could join former coach Damien Hardwick at the Suns.Martin, 32, is under contract with Richmond until the end of next season but the three-time premiership player could end up pursuing a new sporting challenge on the Glitter Strip.
One-time Tigers teammate Alex Rance who retired in 2019 has also been seen in the Sunshine State after recently buying property in Queensland. Martin has been connected to a move to the Suns since Hardwick took up the coaching job with the club last month.
The possibility of Rance again lacing the boots at AFL level is unlikely due to his age. Turning 34 in October, Rance was a top fullback and natural leader in his heyday but five years away from the sport could prove decisive.
Richmond great Trent Cotchin told Channel Seven he would love to see Martin remain a one-club player at Punt Rd. ‘It would be great to see him as a 300 game legend for the Tigers in the yellow and black,’ he said.‘I’m not sure, but I know that one of Dusty’s values is loyalty.’
Rance does have more time on his hands following the recent closure of his three elite Academy AFL schools in Essendon, Geelong and Wangaratta‘The game is very hard and Alex is a little bit older than when he did leave it,’ former Tigers skipper Cotchin said. ‘In saying that, I have seen recent pictures of his rig and he is in good nick.‘It is just whether or not he has the appetite to do it.’
