Dustin Martin is seen training at Richmond for the first time since returning from indefinite leave

Dustin Martin has been pictured training with Richmond for the first time since returning from personal leave with the Tigers superstar nearing his AFL comeback. 

Martin, 30, has not featured for Damien Hardwick’s side since their Round 1 defeat by Carlton, having taken time out of the sport to come to terms with the death of his father Shane, who died in December.

The Brownlow medallist remains a longshot to fly west for this weekend’s game against the Eagles, but he gave an indication on Tuesday that he is still in good nick despite his four-week absence.  

Dustin Martin was pictured training with his Richmond team-mates for the first time at Punt Rd

The 30-year-old has taken time out of the game to cope with the death of his father, Shane

Martin underwent kicking and marking drills for the first time since returning from his leave

The Brownlow medallist may be in line to play for the Tigers away at the West Coast Eagles

Martin looked trim as he was put through his paces with various kicking and marking drills at Punt Road with his Richmond team-mates watching on.

Hardwick will be desperate for Martin to hit the ground running when he makes his AFL return, with the Tigers enduring a slow start to the season having won just two of their six games so far.

The 30-year-old first gave an indication that he will shortly be returning on Saturday when he was seen trotting out at Punt Road with team-mate Josh Caddy, before taking on a running session on Monday.

Damien Hardwick will be boosted by Martin’s return after a slow start to the 2022 campaign

Hardwick is understood to be open to the idea of playing Martin on Friday night if the midfielder is keen, but fitness coaches would prefer to get two weeks of training under his belt given his age and recent soft tissue concerns.

‘We’ll try to get him through training and see how he goes,’ Hardwick said this  week when asked about his star man. 

‘He just didn’t quite feel comfortable enough, and didn’t look comfortable enough, last week and he had a block of training, I think he’ll have a run-around tomorrow and try and prove his fitness.

‘We’ve got a very short session planned so we’ve got to make a call one way or the other pretty early.’