Dustin Martin spotted with Damien Hardwick as Gold Coast Suns rumours heat up
Dustin Martin has been snapped assembly up with Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast, additional fuelling rumours of a possible transfer to the Suns. Hardwick left his position as Richmond coach earlier this season and has since signed on to be Gold Coast coach from subsequent season.
Hypothesis has been rife that Hardwick will try and lure Martin to the Suns when he comes off contract, however the coach hosed down the speak when he was unveiled as Gold Coast coach final month. Nevertheless the hypothesis will solely intensify after Martin and Hardwick have been spotted collectively on the Gold Coast this week.
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Mitch Cleary of 7News broke the story on Thursday evening, exhibiting Martin and his former coach catching up. Martin has been on the Gold Coast for an end-of-season vacation, however some consider there could possibly be extra to the journey north than meets the attention.
“How about this picture – snapped simply this afternoon,” Cleary stated. “An attention-grabbing sub-plot (to the finals) as Dusty weighs up what comes subsequent for him. It’s seen by the Suns that he’ll keep at Richmond however one to observe as the foolish season begins to heat up on the again of the finals collection.”
Martin is contracted to the Tigers till the tip of 2024. Discussing hypothesis he’ll look to lure his former participant to the Gold Coast, Hardwick beforehand stated he would respect Martin’s present contract state of affairs.
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Former Richmond captan Trent Cotchin, who hung up the boots two weeks in the past, stated he believes Martin’s journey to the Gold Coast was purely for a vacation. “It’d be nice to see him as a 300-plus sport participant for the Tigers within the yellow and black,” Cotchin stated on Channel 7.
“Is it some pre-retirement enjoyable to go up there (and play for Gold Coast) and benefit from the sunshine on the very finish of his profession? I’m unsure (however) I do know that one in every of his values is loyalty.”
One other former Richmond star who has been linked to the Suns is Alex Rance. The 34-year-old retired in 2019 however is reportedly being focused by Hardwick.
Earlier this week, Melbourne nice Garry Lyon stated the Rance rumours have been “catching fireplace” and skim out a textual content message on SEN radio saying: “I verify that’s the phrase across the Gold Coast members. He’s up right here now. He’s been across the membership.” However Lyon added: “I don’t know whether or not persons are placing one and one collectively and coming up with 50.”
Cotchin stated of Rance: “Possibly there’s a twinkling heartbeat there. However the sport may be very laborious and he’s a bit bit older than when he did go away it. In saying that, I’ve seen current footage of his rig and he’s in good nick. It’s simply whether or not or not he has the urge for food to do it.”
Hardwick beforehand stated he believes the Suns have 80 per cent of the gamers they should problem for his or her maiden AFL flag. “I am very, very, very excited – I liken it to waking up on Christmas Day, strolling right into a model new set of toys,” he stated in regards to the Suns’ roster.
“Eighty per cent of our first premiership aspect is sitting on this room proper now … this aspect and this membership are very able to saluting within the not-too-distant future.”
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