- Richmond has completed its shirt selection for the 2025 AFL season
- They also made a call about what to do with retired star Dustin Martin’s jersey
- Number 1 draftee Sam Lalor was in the race to capture Martin’s iconic number 4 summit
Richmond are on the verge of shelving Dustin Martin’s iconic number 4 guernsey for at least another year, despite claims their number 1 draft pick Sam Lalor could pull on the Tigers shirt.
The Victorian club will also hold off on handing out jersey numbers for his former teammates and Tigers legends Jack Riewoldt (No. 8) and Trent Cotchin (No. 9) for the 2025 season.
Lalor, one of the most exciting signings in this year’s National Draft, has drawn some comparisons to Martin, who bid an emotional farewell to the club at the end of the 2024 season.
The 18-year-old rookie will don the number 22 jersey, most commonly worn by Jacob Hopper – who will switch to the number 2 jersey. Hopper had worn that number during his time with GWS Giants.
Lalor has previously put his hand up to take over Martin’s Guernsey, claiming: ‘I would certainly like it [the No 4 shirt].’
“I wear number 4 all year round and it’s my favorite number, so if I got it, I’d take it.”
Richmond have called on Dustin Martin’s vacant No. 4 jersey number and have decided not to hand out the jersey for the 2025 season
Richmond has had one of the most successful drafts this season, bringing in an exciting crop of young players, including No. 1 draft pick Sam Lalor (third from right)
It comes as the Tigers will also keep the shirts of retired AFL stars Trent Cotchin (left) and Jack Riewodlt (right) on ice until 2025
While clubs traditionally presented their top players with a shirt worn by a former top club, Richmond have opted not to hand out jerseys from their premiership trio to their new signings.
Last year, number 1 draft pick Harley Reid was awarded the West Coast number 9 shirt, previously worn by club greats Nic Naitanui and Ben Cousins.
Elsewhere, Jeremy Cameron currently wears Gary Ablett Snr’s number 5 jersey at Geelong, which was not worn by his son Ablett Jr.
‘The Club has chosen to leave the numbers recently worn by three-time premiership and 300-game icons Dustin Martin (4), Jack Riewoldt (8), Trent Cotchin (9) and Shane Edwards (10) vacant for the season 2025,” the club said. Tigers said in an online statement.
Although the move could be a nod to the club’s retired trio, according to Code sportsit is also aimed at easing the pressure placed on Lalor and Richmond’s rookies as they embark on their AFL careers.
Following his retirement, there has been speculation about what Martin will do next, with rumors swirling that the three-time premiership winner could take up a broadcasting role with Fox Sports.
If such a move happens, Martin could connect with former teammate Riewoldt on camera.
Back at Punt Road, the Tigers have announced the squad numbers of their new signings, following a very favorable draft period.
There was speculation that Lalor No. 1 draft pick could take over Martin’s No. 4 Guernsey as he was also compared to Martin in his playing style.
Perhaps the Tigers, this year’s draft winners, have reaped the rewards of trading premiership stars Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton, Liam Baker and Jack Graham during the trade period to rejuvenate their ranks with several young stars.
Taj Hotton (No. 24), Jonty Faull (No. 26), Jasper Alger (No. 29), Luke Trainor (No. 31), Harry Armstrong (No. 34), Tom Sims (No. 38) and Josh Smillie (No. 16) all joined the Tigers during the draft.
Elsewhere, Rhyan Mansell will take the number 7 shirt after playing 53 games in the number 31 shirt.
Ben Miller will move from number 12 to number 46, which has been empty since three-time premiership winner David Astbury retired in 2021.