Coach Adem Yze insists there was no internal frustration at Richmond over how Dustin Martin spent his time off, as the superstar Tiger manages a back injury.
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Martin will miss a fourth consecutive game when the Tigers take on Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday, despite training well this week.
The 33-year-old spent a short time in New Zealand with family and friends while recovering from injury, amid ongoing speculation as to whether he will stay with the Tigers, move to Gold Coast or retire.
When asked on Thursday if there was any internal frustration, Yze said: "Not at all.
"If you look at him and you watch when he bounced back in (to training), he wanted to get home which was great.
"He needed to go and see some family while his back was a bit grumbly but the minute he's walked back in he's got a smile on his face and really enjoying his training and that's all we can ask.
"When he's at the footy club we want him to enjoy himself and all the other stuff and the external noise, I don't really care about."
Martin was in full training on Thursday, in a session which the Tigers held at Bundoora due to Punt Road Oval being too wet and heavy.
"He's in a good spot. He turned the corner late last week," Yze said.
"Friday, he did a little session then he ran on Saturday. He trained Tuesday with the group but then today's gonna be the main opportunity to train and get some volume in."
After Thursday's training session Richmond decided not to risk Martin against Collingwood, instead giving the triple-premiership star another week in full training.
He could return when the last-placed Tigers take on North Melbourne in round 21, in a contest which could decide the wooden spoon.
By then it would be 34 days since Martin's most recent appearance, when he was subbed out of a loss to Carlton in round 16.
Yze is confident Richmond's poor on-field fortunes wouldn't affect Liam Baker's decision on whether to stay at the Tigers or seek a trade to Western Australia.
"Knowing 'Bakes', that's not going to be any part of his decision making," he said, hailing the vice-captain's performances.
"He loves the footy club, his decision making's going to whether he goes home or not. It's not about win-loss and where he sees the future of our footy club and how the next couple of years look like.
"... He hasn't checked out, he's going to play right to the end, and when he makes that decision he'll make that decision."
Tim Taranto and Nick Vlastuin will return from concussion and a back issue respectively against Collingwood, but captain Toby Nankervis (concussion) is out.
Versatile big man Noah Balta missed Thursday's session through illness but will hope to front up for his 100th game.
Australian Associated Press
