David King says it’s “frightening” how well Richmond has handled the constant talk around Dustin Martin’s future.
Coach Damien Hardwick said this week that Martin would go with the club’s blessing if he did seek to finish his career elsewhere, fuelling speculation on what his future plans may be.
The three-time Norm Smith Medallist is out of contract at the end of 2024, having just returned to the senior side after a period of personal leave.
King said regardless of what decision Martin makes on his future, Richmond’s public messaging means any potential exit of the club great would be seamless.
“Richmond has done this so well it’s frightening,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“How they are handling the end of the Dustin Martin period… he will leave an unbelievable legacy and a trail of success really.
“What he’s been able to transform this football club from and to is quite remarkable, I don’t think there’s a club that would handle this as well as what Richmond has this week.
“People can say what they want about Damien Hardwick, but this is a difficult situation that I think Damien and the Richmond hierarchy have made so easy from here forward.”
Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt said it was so important to “look after your people” at a football club, saying an “invested” Martin hadn’t missed a beat since returning.
“Clearly (he) is invested,” Riewoldt said on SEN Tassie.
“He has kicked three goals in the last two weeks and had over 20 touches, his score involvements are through the roof so he’s playing really well.
“If someone isn’t happy and wants to go to a new environment for a legitimate reason, we would love to see every player that signs a contract see it out, but things change.
“It’s so important to look after your people, because there’s swings and roundabouts with this sort of stuff.
“It comes around, if you’re a good club and good organisation then you’ll be rewarded somewhere else.”
Martin will make his fourth appearance of the season when the Tigers clash with Essendon in the Dreamtime clash at the MCG on Saturday night.