Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has done little to weaken the links between the Queensland side and Richmond free agent Dustin Martin, who is said to be "weighing up his options" - one of which is a move to Carrara.

Martin is yet to decide on his future as his lucrative seven-year contract comes to an end, with the three-time Norm Smith Medal winner to either extend his stay at Punt Road, sign with the Suns or announce an end to his 300-game career.

A move north to Gold Coast would see Martin reunite with Hardwick, who was questioned on the club's interest in the champion Tiger following further speculation surrounding the 33-year-old.

Hardwick said every rival club would at least 'assess' a move for the 2017 Brownlow medallist, with the Suns "always looking for good players".

"That's obviously for Dustin to decide and Richmond to work their way through," Hardwick told media on Wednesday, via AFL.com.au.

"He's a really, really good player, there's no doubt about that, and every single club would be crazy if they didn't sit there and at some stage make an assessment.

"Like 17 other clubs, we're always looking for good players.ย Gold Coast is no different. Those list management calls will get made at the back-end of the year."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Damien Hardwick, Senior Coach of the Tigers and Dustin Martin of the Tigers embrace before the 2019 AFL Second Preliminary Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 20, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A report fromย 9 News'ย Tom Morris suggests Martin's days as a Tiger are numbered, with the club great seen more likely to join the Suns or retire over inking a new deal in the yellow and black.

Martin's management has confirmed the midfielder is "weighing up his options", with the star Tiger's camp seeking a move to the Gold Coast as the Suns consider the situation.

"It's absolutely in play and this hasn't changed all year," Morris said on Tuesday.

"As it sits, it's more the Martin camp pushing [a move] than Gold Coast chasing him. I understand the Suns are open to the idea but not yet wedded to it.

"Today his agent Ralph Carr told me Dusty is weighing up his options. I've spoken to multiple people close to Dusty who believe his time at Punt Road is coming to an end, and that he'll either join the Suns or retire."

Martin is one of several senior players at Richmond eligible for free agency in 2024, with Dion Prestia, Dylan Grimes, Kamdyn McIntosh and Jack Graham also unsigned.