‘Don’t really care’: Richmond coach hits back at Dustin…

Richmond coach Adem Yze has defended the decision to allow superstar Dustin Martin to travel to New Zealand as he battles a nagging back injury.

Martin missed games against Fremantle, GWS and Port Adelaide, all defeats, due to the ongoing injury. He was allowed to leave the country to visit his family during his rehabilitation.

Speaking to reporters after the Tigers’ 41-point loss to the Power at Adelaide OvalIt was put to Yze that some might question the wisdom of sending a 33-year-old with a bad back on two long international flights while he tries to regain full fitness.

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

“He wouldn’t be able to play, so he went away and spent some time with his family. He’s coming back into our program now and trying to get fit for the next game.

‘He was out for a while the week before, he had a back problem, he’s back now and hopefully he can train this week and then hopefully be available for the game against Collingwood.

“When he came back recently, he had some muscle pain and couldn’t finish the training. So we need a whole week of training to have him available.”

Speculation continues over Martin’s future as a player beyond this season, with a reunion with Premier League manager Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast or even retirement among the options for the star of the three Premier League competitions.

Yze said he doesn’t care what people say because Martin needed some time for himself

Although Martin still has a chance to play against the reigning champions, captain Toby Nankervis was substituted against the Power on matchday three and will soon be subject to the concussion protocol.

Richmond will get some respite from their injury crisis as Tim Taranto and Nick Vlastuin return to the starting line-up.

“I think we only had three or four players to choose from who didn’t play a game (against Port),” Yze said.

‘So in that regard we are very proud of our players and the way they fight.

“But at the same time, we just have to get better.”

Speculation about Martin’s playing future after this season continues

Despite their long injury list, the young Tigers put up an impressive fight and trailed the Power by just 10 points after three quarters before slipping to their fifth straight defeat, leaving them bottom of the table.

“I was impressed with our mentality in the last quarter. We were trying to win the game and not just lose with honor. But our guys are struggling,” the coach said.

‘Our fans expect a lot from us, and so do we, so I hope they were proud of our performance until three quarters of the game.

‘But we just have to finish the games better.’