Outgoing Richmond President Peggy O'Neal had shed light on Dustin Martin's return to football in an interview with 3AW, ahead of Richmond's Round 9 clash against Hawthorn.
The three-time premiership Tiger returned in Round 8 after a six-week absence for personal reasons, sliding back into the side with ease.
When asked if the club ever internally suspected the star wouldn't return to the field, O'Neal was categorical in her denial.
"Dustin loves to compete and he loves football and it's a real part of his life that he looks forward to," O'Neal said to 3AW.
"There was never an idea that he would not come back to football and as we saw it will take a little while to get the rust out but he's still playing pretty good football."
Martin impressed in his return in Round 8 against Collingwood, collecting 23 disposals, 2 goals and 11 score involvements in the 27-point win.
While the 2017 Brownlow Medallist is tied to Punt Road until at least 2024, speculation about the 30-year-old's future at Richmond and in the game has swirled throughout 2022.
Having played 262 games for the Tigers since his debut in 2010, O'Neal remains confident that Martin will remain at the club.
"We have him for two more years and I haven't heard a word about that. Undoubtedly he likes getting away and getting out of the fishbowl from time to time but he loves this club and he loves this team," O'Neal said.
"Not that long ago he said to me 'I'll never be in anything but yellow and black' and so I'll hold him to that.
"For the next two years I'm certain that we can continue to watch Dustin play for the Tigers."
The 30-year-old was criticised by some pundits upon his return for his refusal to participate in media interviews after Richmond's win, which O'Neal swiftly dismissed.
"Dustin has been reserved in his own person through his whole career and I think the mystery makes it all the more interesting," O'Neal said.
"As I understand, people were told that it's unlikely that Dustin would agree to do an interview and I think he probably didn't want to draw a lot of attention to himself after we had won a game in a very convincing way over an old foe."
Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne on Saturday morning, Tigers coach Damien Hardwick echoed O'Neal's sentiments, defending Martin's right to remain tight lipped.
"I was probably a little bit upset at a few people that made it more about them and less about Dustin," Hardwick said to Saturday Morning Sport.
"He's just electric at what he does, but it doesn't mean that brilliance is going to transfer into a media performer. And he doesn't feel comfortable in that space, he doesn't feel comfortable sharing his life story.
"He will at some timeย sit down and speak, but that time isn't now."
