Richmond senior club advisor Neil Balme is confident that Tigers' star Dustin Martin will return to the footy field despite rumours of retirement after the Brownlow medallist decided to take time away from the club on the eve of Round 2.
The 30-year-old has missed the Tigers' past two games - a win against GWS and a loss to St Kilda - and does not have a clear timeframe on his return, but Balme said the club will give him the time he needs before a potential return.
"It is a personal issue for him that he has to get organised and we know he loves playing footy, so it is not a matter of whether, it is a matter of when," Balme toldย RSN Breakfast.
"The thing I am proud of about footy these days - and our club particularly - is that you take the person into account more than just the club.
"We know that if we do the right thing by him and allow him to work through his stuff, that when it is his turn, he will give back a lot more to us as well.
"If it were up to us, we would say today is the day (for him to return), but obviously there is a lot more going on than we can control."
The absence of Martin has left a big hole in the Tigers' midfield, with the yellow and black failing to fire so far in 2022, starting the season with a 1-2 record. However, Balme is hopeful Dusty's return can turn around their fortunes.
"We are suffering for it (his absence) at the moment, but that's the price you pay," Balme said.
"The 'Dusty' challenge is there, of course, he makes us a much better team if he plays and do we want him to play, yes.
"If we could, would we make him play, yes we would, but I am proud of the fact that we are letting him do that (take his time in his recovery)."
The Tigers are fresh off a brutal loss to St Kilda, who completed a 58-point turnaround to claim a 33-point victory after being down by 25 in the third quarter. Damien Hardwick's side will face the Western Bulldogs at the MCG on Saturday night, with both sides starting with a 1-2 record.
