Trent Cotchin lifts the lid on Dustin Martin situation amid AFL retirement speculation

Three-time Richmond premiership-winning captain Trent Cotchin believes his former teammate Dustin Martin may call time on his AFL career at the end of 2024 as he has nothing left to prove. The Tigers dynasty is a thing of the past and the club has since transitioned into a new era under Adem Yze where they find themselves for the first time in almost a decade out of finals contention so early in the AFL season.

Martin played a key role in the Tigers' golden dynasty between 2017 and 2020, during which time he won a Brownlow and three Norm Smith medals. He formed an elite partnership with Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance, David Astbury, Kane Lambert and Bachar Houli.

However, Martin is the only remaining Tiger from that premiership-winning period. And with the club likely needing at least a few years to rebuild under new coach Adam Yze, Cotchin believes Martin - who is in the twilight years of his AFL career - may decide to retire as soon as this year as he doesn't know if he has the drive to lead the embattled club into brighter times after a tough last few years off the field.

"He’s definitely capable of it — I just don’t know if, (given) the place he is in right now, whether he’s got the energy to do so,” Cotchin said on Talking Footy. "It’s hard to comment too far on what he’s going through, but since his old man passed away, it’s been a challenge for Dusty.

"Probably getting himself right is the absolute priority, and I know that the club’s helping him with that. So, to put such a commitment on someone who needs to get himself at his best is a big call and going to be challenging."

In 2024, Martin is averaging 19.4 disposals, compared to his career average of 24.4, and has kicked just four goals, two of those coming in the season opener against Carlton. Martin has played seven games this season and missed four as he battles a calf injury.

Kane Cornes believes it's in Dustin Martin's best interest to retire

Martin is approaching his 300th AFL game milestone and the Richmond great is already widely regarded as one of the all-time greats. Having won three Norm Smith medals in three Richmond premierships, Martin will go down as a legend of the game.

But with the Richmond great off contract at the end of the season and currently earning a massive $1.35 million a year, former AFL player Kane Cornes believes the club won't be too keen to hand him a new contract. And he believes that it is in everyones best interest for Martin to retire at the end of 2024.

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"I just think it’s time in terms of there’s nothing left for him to achieve,” Cornes said on SEN Sportsday at the time. "Does Dustin Martin want to go through that and then have questions over his form like he will get, just like Buddy Franklin had when he played probably one more year (than he arguably should have)?"

Martin is currently on track to reach the magical 300-game milestone in Round 13 against Adelaide, but the club may choose to rest him so he can celebrate the milestone match against Hawthorn at the MCG.