Dustin Martin rumour ‘will never go away’

The Tigers superstar was pictured this week on the training paddock, revealing his trimmed down figure.The three-time Norm Smith medallist was placed on a fruit-based diet as part of his recovery and lost 10 kilograms from his playing weight after suffering a lacerated kidney during a clash with the Brisbane Lions. He spent an extended period in hospital and did not return to play football this year.Sport‘s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >However, it has now emerged the 30-year-old has been busy getting fit in recent weeks during an off-season training camp in Sydney with code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams. The Daily Telegraph reports, Martin has been training in a Sydney boxing gym alongside Williams and has impressed with his performances with the gloves on.“You’ve got no idea how hard he hits the bags,” Williams’ manager Khoder Nasser said.“Seriously, he can really throw ‘em.”The report details Martin continues to enjoy spending time in Sydney away from the Melbourne fishbowl.The Sunday Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield writes: “It’s why the rumour will never go away that he will leave his beloved Richmond Tigers and finish his career at either the Swans or GWS Giants”.It is hardly the first time that Martin has been linked with a desired move to Sydney — something that has repeatedly been denied by the Tigers.A sly comment from Martin’s manager Ralph Carr in February sent shockwaves through the AFL when he publicly declared Martin had “two years to go at Richmond”, despite remaining contracted through to the end of the 2024 season.“Dusty loves Sydney,” Carr said.“He’s there a lot and he originally lived in Camden with his dad. You’ve got to live there to really know how good it is.“He loves rugby league, too, and he was hanging out with Cameron Munster the other day.”Tigers CEO Brendan Gale at the time responded to the intrigue by re-affirming Martin remains locked in at Richmond for another three years.Meanwhile, Martin was showing the benefits of all his hard work in Sydney when he was filmed by 7 News on Saturday looking noticeably slimmer.He is on a training schedule of light running and kicking drills, and is expected to return to full training in January.— You can read Phil Rothfield’s full Sunday Telegraph column here Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au