Richmond midfielder Tim Taranto says he’s “confident” that star teammate Dustin Martin will play on next week and next season, despite suggestions his 300th game at the MCG in round 14 was his last.
The Tigers went down by 48 points at the hands of Hawthorn, with Martin taking extra time to complete a lap of honour around the MCG to thank the Tigers faithful.
In front of over 92,000 fans, the Brownlow medallist spoke post match with former premiership teammate Jack Riewoldt, shutting down suggestions that that was his final match.
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“Yeah mate, freshen up for the bye and see how we go,” he told Riewoldt after full-time.
Richmond is reportedly waiting for Martin to come to the contract table, as speculation continues around his impending retirement.
Now, teammate Taranto has weighed in on the future of the three-time Norm Smith medallist in the yellow and black.
“I’m pretty confident it’s not (the end),” Taranto said at the MCG on Thursday.
“You never really know, but Dusty will do what Dusty will do.”
Taranto declared that even though Martin’s lap of honour felt like the end was close, he knows he’ll be back for more.
“I think he’ll be playing for us again,” he said.
“The game wasn’t great, but watching him wave off the fans … it’s a rock star moment. He deserved it.”
But beyond the rock star career of Martin, Taranto admits heading into a rebuild under new coach Adem Yze has been “tough”, as they sit 17th on the ladder with just two wins.
“It’s tough, I’m not going to lie. It’s hard not winning and going through this phase,” he said.
Taranto has taken a note from Yze’s book, however, as the Tigers hone in on the growth of the new faces at the club.
“It’s all about the young guys at the moment, trying to get them up to speed with the game plan and trying to find ways to get better as a group,” he said.
“Yze is doing a magnificent job, he’s one of the most positive guys you’ll ever meet.”