- Richmond have finalized their jersey selections for the 2025 AFL season
- They’ve also made a call about what to do with retired star Dustin Martin’s jersey.
- No. 1 recruit Sam Lalor had been in the running to take Martin’s iconic No. 4 jersey.
Richmond are set to freeze Dustin Martin’s iconic No. 4 guernsey for at least another year despite claims their No. 1 draft pick Sam Lalor could pull on the Tigers’ jersey.
The Victorian club will also defer issuing jersey numbers to former teammates and Tigers legends Jack Riewoldt (No. 8) and Trent Cotchin (No. 9) for the 2025 season.
Lalor, who is one of the most exciting acquisitions in this year’s National Draft, has drawn some comparisons with Martin, who said an emotional farewell to the club at the end of the 2024 season.
The 18-year-old rookie will wear jersey number 22, which was previously worn by Jacob Hopper, who will switch to wearing jersey number 2. Hopper had worn that number during his time at GWS Giants.
Lalor previously raised his hand to take Martin’s guernsey, stating: “I would definitely like it (the number 4 shirt).”
“I wear number 4 all year round and it’s my favorite number, so if I got it, I would buy it.”
Richmond has made a call regarding Dustin Martin’s vacant No. 4 jersey number and has decided not to surrender the jersey for the 2025 season.
Richmond has had one of the most successful drafts this season, landing an exciting crop of young players, including number one draft pick Sam Lalor (third from right).
It comes as the Tigers will also keep the jerseys of retired AFL stars Trent Cotchin (left) and Jack Riewodlt (right) on ice for 2025.
While clubs have traditionally given their top recruit a shirt worn by a former big club, Richmond have opted not to give shirts from their premiership trio to any of their new acquisitions.
Last year, number one draft pick Harley Reid was assigned West Coast’s number 9 jersey, which has previously been worn by club greats Nic Naitanui and Ben Cousins.
On the other hand, Jeremy Cameron currently wears Gary Ablett Sr.’s number 5 jersey at Geelong, which was not worn by his son Ablett Jr.
“The Club has opted to keep the numbers recently worn by triple premiership and 300 game icons Dustin Martin (4), Jack Riewoldt (8), Trent Cotchin (9) and Shane Edwards (10) vacant for the 2025 season. The Tigers said in an online statement.
While the move could be a nod to the club’s retired trio, according to Sports CodeIt also aims to ease the pressure placed on Lalor and Richmond rookies as they embark on their AFL careers.
Following his retirement, speculation has swirled around what Martin will do next, with rumors that the three-time premiership winner could take on a broadcast role on Fox Sports.
If such a move occurs, Martin could join former teammate Riewoldt in front of the camera.
Back at Punt Road, the Tigers announced the jersey numbers of their new recruits, following a very favorable draft period.
There was speculation that Lalor, the first pick in the draft, could take Martin’s number 4 guernsey, as he was also compared to Martin in his playing style.
Perhaps the winners of this year’s draft, the Tigers have reaped the rewards of trading premiership stars Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton, Liam Baker and Jack Graham during the trade period to rejuvenate their ranks with multiple young stars.
Taj Hotton (#24), Jonty Faull (#26), Jasper Alger (#29), Luke Trainor (#31), Harry Armstrong (#34), Tom Sims (#38) and Josh Smillie (No. 16) joined the Tigers during the draft period.
On the other hand, Rhyan Mansell will wear the number 7 shirt after having played 53 games in the number 31 shirt.
Ben Miller will move to number 46 from number 12, which has been empty since three-time premiership winner David Astbury retired in 2021.