Eddie McGuire sends pointed message to Dustin Martin as Joel Selwood makes big prediction

Eddie McGuire has claimed there are multiple clubs 'keen' on taking Richmond legend Dustin Martin if he opts to leave the club at the end of the year with a possible MCG farewell looming. Martin's future at the Tigers has been a huge talking point this season with the AFL great off contract next year.

The all-time great's form has been inconsistent in 2024 and the Tigers languish in second-last place on the ladder. Martin's season hit a new low on the weekend when he was subbed off due to a back injury. He recored just seven disposals, which is the lowest in his illustrious 301-game career.

Martin's future is up in the air, but doubts remained on whether clubs will be interested in the 33-year-old's talents at this stage of his career. However, former Collingwood president McGuire said there are plenty of clubs interested in signing the superstar.

"I have confirmed today that there are clubs keen to get Dusty if he is available," McGuire said on Footy on Nine. McGuire then questioned Martin on how he would like to proceed with a potential farewell to Richmond fans if he decided to leave.

There has been plenty of speculation on whether Martin will join the Gold Coast Suns to link up with old Richmond coach Damien Hardwick. The Suns coach admitted it would be 'crazy' for his team not to consider Martin if he would be interested in 2025.

The Tigers will play the Suns in the final game of the 2024 regular season. And McGuire said if he were to end up at the Suns it could be a huge send off at the MCG. He also suggested Tigers fans wouldn't be disappointed if Martin opted to move on and allow Richmond to rebuild their squad.

"Do you know who Richmond are playing in there last game this year?" McGuire asked the panel. "This could be the first time ever a player walks off the MCG and is applauded by 95,000 supporters from both sides. This can be a really elegant dismount for a bloke that deserves exactly that," McGuire said of Martin if he were to finish his career this year, or move to the Suns.

Joel Selwood makes huge call on Dustin Martin's future

Trent Cotchin said Martin needed to figure out if had the motivation to move clubs at 33 years old and start again after so long at Richmond. AFL great Joel Selwood was more forthright and said the AFL can't afford to lose Martin's star power just yet.

Selwood said Martin could revitalise his career and use a new challenge after so many years at the Tigers. "He still has so much to offer. I believe his football is better off at a different place than Richmond at the moment," Selwood said during Talking Footy on Channel 7. Regardless of his next contract, Martin is looking at a tough end to the season having hurt his back during the loss to Carlton.

Dustin Martin's time to be managed after Richmond injury

Martin endured a tough night against Carlton on the weekend having been taken off the field with a back injury in the 20.11 (131) to 10.10 (70) loss. His withdrawal in the second-quarter marked the first time Martin had been subbed out of a game in his Tigers career.

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And Richmond coach Adam Yze admitted Martin's time on the field would have to be managed for the remainder of the season after his latest setback. "He just seized up," Yze said after the game. "He tried to go back out there for one more rotation and he was just battling, so it was just pointless.

"I'm not sure if he's ever been subbed before but against a quality team like Carlton you need 18 fit guys out there. So for him to put his hand up and say his back's a bit too sore is a credit to him."