Yze defends Dustin Martin call, Tigers cop another injury blow

Richmond coach Adem Yze doesn't "care" what people make of superstar Dustin Martin's mid-year trip to New Zealand amid a murky future at Punt Road.

Martin has long been linked with a reunion with former coach Damien Hardwick at the Gold Coast Suns.

However, a persistent back issue has kept Martin sidelined for multiple weeks, with the Tigers ticking off a trip away from the club to "spend time with family".

“I don't really care what other people say … he needed some time away,” Yze said.

“He wasn't going to be available to play, so he got away and spent some time with family, and he'll come back into our program and try to get fit for the next game.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Dustin Martin of the Tigers kicks the ball during the round 19 AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on July 22, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“The week before he had some time away, his back was a bit crook, so he's come back and he will hopefully train this week and hopefully be available for the Collingwood game.

“He was a bit sore the other day when he did get back and couldn't finish training, so we need a full week of training for him to be available.”

The Tigers are hopeful Martin gets himself right for the Collingwood clash next Sunday, but Yze revealed post-game that they will likely be without captain Toby Nankervis.

During Saturday night's loss to Port Adelaide, Nankervis was initially subbed out tactically but it was revealed that a SCAT6 test didn't go the way of Yze.

“We subbed him out. He was going down for a concussion test for 15 minutes so that took out half of the last quarter anyway," Yze said.

"We decided to sub him. I think he would mostly likely go into concussion protocols.

“We were about to sub (Samson Ryan), he had a sore ankle and we were about to put the paperwork through for that and touch wood he should be OK, but the big skipper will go into the protocols.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 20: Tim Taranto of the Tigers celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 10 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 20, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond is expecting Nick Vlastuin and Tim Taranto to be available for selection while Jack Graham is an outside chance to face the Pies.

“Nick Vlastuin (back) and Tim Taranto (concussion) will be available next week and they will come back into the team but we only had three or four players to choose from that didn't get game a today, so that side of it, we are really proud of the way our players are fighting but at the same time we need to get better.”