Does Martin want to play? Should ageing stars have called quits? Richmond’s burning questions for 2023

With the 2022 AFL season complete, Kane Cornes and Garry Lyon have gone through all 18 clubs and come up with burning questions for each.

For Richmond, Cornes wonders whether superstar Dustin Martin is still motivated heading into his 14th AFL season.

Martin took a leave of absence to deal with the loss of his father Shane early in the 2022 season and struggled with injury later in the campaign, restricting him to just nine appearances as the Tigers finished seventh.

“Does Dustin Martin want to play?” Cornes asked.

While Lyon understands if Martin has done enough to be content with his career, he hopes that the superstar still has the fire burning to go on.

“That’s a good question, it’s not even a criticism of Dusty, it’s just a good, legitimate question … it’s probably one he’s asked himself as he’s gone through the heartache of losing his dad and all of the other stuff that goes on around him,” Lyon replied.

“When you’ve got three premierships and three Norm Smith medals with those premierships in your back pocket, then yes, all of the demands that come with it (could weigh on him) and we know that he’s not all that comfortable in the spotlight.

“The answer is I hope he does, there were times at the year it looked like he didn’t, just from a motivational point of view.

“But we’ll see, maybe a summer off and a bit of time away (will be good for his career).”

Posing his own question, Lyon asked: “Was the Jack Riewoldt decision for him to go on the right one?”

In response, Cornes said he was fine with the key forward continuing on, but questioned Trent Cotchin’s contract extension as he now heads into a 16th season.

“I was okay with that one, I was questioning Cotchin, I thought perhaps two years too long for Trent,” Cornes replied.

“His form was reasonable this year, but he doesn’t impact games and you add the two midfielders (Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper) that play the exact role Trent Cotchin does.

“I think that’s going to be an issue for him this year.”