'Pumped': Dustin Martin announcement timely for Richmond Tigers
Richmond has announced superstar Dustin Martin will return from his lay-off to feature in this weekend's match against Collingwood.
Martin has been absent since Round 1 after taking time off from the game for personal leave.
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And in good news for both Martin and the club, coach Damien Hardwick confirmed that if he got through training on Thursday he would be a starter for Saturday's clash at the MCG against the Magpies.
"We're looking forward to welcoming him back," Hardwick told reporters.
Martin has been back in training for two weeks since taking personal leave.
The three-time Norm Smith medallist has been grieving the death of his father Shane, who died in New Zealand in December, having returned to action this season from a lacerated kidney that ended his 2021 campaign in round 18.
The 30-year-old returned to training at Punt Road on April 23 and has built since then.
One word response from Craig McRae upon hearing Dustin Martin is a lock for Richmond.
โPumped.โ ๐๐๐โ Sarah Olle (@sarahjolle) May 5, 2022
Iโm going to watch Dustin Martin play footy again on Saturday ๐
โ Con โ๏ธ (@conf82) May 5, 2022
Dustin Martin return timely for Tigers
Martin's return will be welcomed by Richmond who are currently sitting ninth and have a 3-4 record.
Despite a patchy record, Martin will return after the Tigers' 109-point demolition of West Coast last Friday.
Before the Eagles clash, Hardwick had flagged the 2017 Brownlow Medallist was likely to return against Collingwood.
Richmond, who are 3-4, sit ninth and one ladder spot behind fierce rivals Collingwood, who are 4-3 in their first season under former Tigers VFL boss Craig McRae.
Former captain Trent Cotchin is also due to return after being managed while Marlion Pickett (hamstring/personal reasons) could play.
Meanwhile, dual-premiership Tiger Josh Caddy has retired, effective immediately.
Caddy, 29, played in both the 2017 and 2019 premierships as a forward/midfielder, then as a winger.
with AAP
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