Following a collision with Brisbane's wrecking ball Mitch Robinson during his side's 20-point victory last Friday night, Dustin Martin was forced from the field with what was initially diagnosed as a rib injury.
However, as has been public knowledge since Saturday afternoon, the 2017 Brownlow medalist will now miss the remainder of the 2021 season after his ailment was diagnosed as a lacerated kidney.
With Martin still hospitalised on the Gold Coast, Richmond's Physical Performance Manager Peter Burge provided further details on the three-time Norm Smith medalist's condition.
Speaking on the club's website on Tuesday evening, Burge stated that Martin would not only miss the rest of Richmond's current campaign but that the 30-year-old would be barred from full-contact training for the foreseeable future.
“Really unfortunate for Dustin, and obviously the team. The incident (was) just before three-quarter time. He came off the ground, and it looked pretty bad on the field, and he was obviously in a bit of pain," Burge said.
“He ran off, and he said he was just winded, but the doctors took him down to the rooms for further assessment, and they were a little bit suspicious there was a bit more going on.
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“He was taken to hospital for further scans and observation, and obviously the result was a lacerated kidney, which is fairly serious, and it will mean he can’t take any further part in the season. He is not allowed to have any contact for three months."
Burge also divulged that due to the nature of the superstar's condition, he was unable to make the flight back to Melbourne with his teammates last Saturday.
“He is still up there on the Gold Coast in hospital," he said.
"He will probably be released in a couple of days once the specialists give him the all clear and we are looking forward to having him back around the Club again soon.
“All the guys and staff have been really good and sending him get-well messages and all those sorts of things. He is really appreciative of that, and we look forward to seeing him soon.”
Richmond currently sit in ninth position and already faced an uphill battle to defend their 2020 crown even before Martin's injury.
The Punt Roaders will face their nemesis from last season's decider, Geelong, on Sunday before clashes with a pair of fellow finals aspirants, Fremantle and GWS, as well as cellar dwellers, North Melbourne and Hawthorn.
Despite the news somewhat spoiling what was a fantastic outing in his 300th game within a yellow sashed guernsey, Jack Riewoldt shed further light on his teammate's status.
“I’ve been chatting to Dusty most nights just checking in on him," he said on AFL360.
"Obviously it’s a pretty serious injury with that kidney laceration, he’s three months without contact so clearly he’s done and dusted for the year.
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“We’ve all had to fly back to Victoria due to the permit from Queensland, we’ve got a couple of people up there who are based in Queensland that are helping him out.
“Hopefully we can get him out of hospital soon, let him have some rest and recovery up there in the Sunshine State and then we’ll be looking forward to getting him back around the club with his mates because not doubt he’d be itching to get back into it in some capacity."
Although obviously hampered with what has now been diagnosed as an exceptionally serious injury, Martin appeared upbeat during last Friday's final term - something Riewoldt was quick to praise him for.
“On the weekend he was coaching in that last quarter with a lacerated kidney, which sums him up really, he’s as tough as nails and we’re sorely going to miss him.”
As mentioned, the Martin-less Tigers will do battle with the Cats on Sunday at the MCG after Geelong's request to have the contest moved to GMHBA Stadium was denied earlier this week.