Once again, Richmond legend Dustin Martin has been tipped to finish out his decorated AFL career away from Punt Road.
Over the course of the last few seasons, Martin's playing future has been steeped in speculation; whether it be movement conjecture or even retirement rumours.
However, the whispers stepped up a notch after ex-Richmond senior coach Damien Hardwick made his Gold Coast move; named the Suns' head man in August.
Could and would Martin reunite with the mentor under which he won a Brownlow Medal, three Norm Smith Medals, and three premierships?
Journalist Sam McClure -- still -- seems to think so, according to his comments on theย Tradies season finale podcast.
"Everyone will be happy to know that my man Dusty, my man Dusty, [is] straight onto the whiteboard for 2024," started McClure, laughing.
"He will finish his career at the Gold Coast Suns, playing," he stated.
"He will finish his career at the Gold Coast Suns," McClure repeated. "You heard it here first ... or maybe seventh.
"I'm keeping him on [the whiteboard]."
McClure, who touted Martin's move away from Tigerland in 2022 and 2023, is apparently backing the same horse again in 2024.
The 32-year-old Martin will enter unrestricted free agency at the end of next season, after a possible 2023 Suns move was ruled out by Hardwick himself shortly after his Gold Coast appointment became official.
During this year's player movement period, Richmond added tall forward Jacob Koschitzke to pair with returning spearhead Tom Lynch, while Hawthorn welcomed ex-Sun and Tiger Mabior Chol, defender Massimo D'Ambrosio from Essendon, as well as reunited with veteran Jack Gunston in a trade with the Brisbane Lions that sent youngster Brandon Ryan to Springfield.
As the trade period came to a close last Wednesday, all that remains after delisted free agency is the 2023 National Draft; scheduled to commence on November 20.
