- Adem Yze defends the decision to allow Dustin Martin to travel to New Zealand
- Richmond coach says he doesn’t care what people say
- Speculation continues about Martin’s future beyond this season
Richmond coach Adem Yze has defended the decision to allow veteran superstar Dustin Martin to travel to New Zealand as he battles to overcome a nagging back injury.
Martin missed games against Fremantle, GWS and Port Adelaide, all losses, due to the persistent injury, and was allowed to leave the country to visit his family during his rehabilitation.
Talking to reporters after The Tigers’ 41-point loss to the Power at Adelaide OvalYze was asked whether some might question the wisdom of letting a 33-year-old man with back problems take two long international flights while trying to regain full fitness.
“I don’t really care what anyone says… he needed some time away,” Yze said.
‘He wasn’t going to be available to play, so he got away and spent some time with his family, and he’ll come back to our program and try to get in shape for the next game.
‘He was out for a while last week and had a bit of a tweak in his back, so he’s back and we’re hoping he’ll train this week and be available for the Collingwood game.
“He was a bit sore the other day when he came back and couldn’t finish training, so we need a full week of training to get him ready.”
Speculation continues over Martin’s playing future beyond this season, with a reunion with Premier League coach Damien Hardwick at the Gold Coast or even retirement an option for the three-time Premier League title-winning star.
Richmond coach Adem Yze has defended the decision to allow Dustin Martin to travel to New Zealand as he battles his way back from injury.
Yze said he doesn’t care what people say because Martin needed some time away.
While Martin has some chance of playing against the reigning champions, captain Toby Nankervis was substituted against the Power in the third quarter of half-time and is set to enter the concussion protocol.
Richmond will get some respite from their injury crisis, with Tim Taranto and Nick Vlastuin set to return to the lineup.
“I think we only had three or four players we could choose from who didn’t play a game (against Port),” Yze said.
‘In that respect, we are very proud of our players and the way they are fighting.
“But at the same time, we just need to get better.”
Speculation continues over Martin’s future as a player beyond this season
Despite their long list of injuries, the young Tigers showed impressive fightback to trail the Power by just 10 points at the third quarter of time before falling to a fifth straight loss that kept them anchored at the bottom of the standings.
“I was wrapped up in our mentality in the fourth quarter of trying to win the game and not just have an honorable loss, but our guys are suffering,” the coach said.
‘Our fans expect a lot from us, and so do we, so I hope that by the third quarter they’re proud of our performance.
“But we just have to finish the games better.”