AFL superstar Dustin Martin is out for the SEASON after suffering ‘significant damage’ to his kidney in on-field clash that’s landed him in hospital
- Richmond superstar midfielder won’t play again in 2021 due to kidney injury
- The absence of Martin will see many dismiss the Tigers as a premiership threat
- Martin, 30, has won three premierships and is regarded as leading player in AFL
Richmond AFL superstar midfielder Dustin Martin won’t play again in 2021 due to a kidney injury.
The Tigers released a club statement on Saturday confirming scans showed Martin suffered the painful injury during his team’s win over Brisbane on Friday night.
Martin, 30, collapsed to the ground in agony following an on-field collision with Lions enforcer Mitch Robinson in the third quarter.
The three-time premiership winner played no further part in the match.
The three-time premiership winner collapsed to the ground in agony following an on-field collision with Lions enforcer Mitch Robinson in the third quarter – scans later confirmed damage to his kidney
Richmond AFL superstar midfielder Dustin Martin (pictured) won’t play again in 2021 due to a kidney injury
Richmond club doctor Greg Hickey confirmed Martin is expected to remain in hospital until at least Monday.
‘Dustin stayed the night in hospital (on the Gold Coast) for observation and has been seen by a urologist this morning. He is feeling good and remains stable,’ Hickey said.
‘Given the delicate nature of the injury and recovery timeline, he will not play football again this season.’
Tigers football boss Tim Livingstone added the club were ‘incredibly disappointed’ at the news, but the focus was Martin’s well-being.
Martin made his AFL debut in 2010 and quickly established himself as one of the game’s emerging talents.
In addition to his three flags with the Tigers in recent years, Martin has also snared three Norm Smith Medals, awarded to the best players in AFL grand finals.
The remarkable accolade his cemented his status as a big game player and legend status among Tigers supporters.
He is also believed to be dating swimsuit model Jessica Gomes.