Rumours concerning possible off-field misconduct circulated during the 2013 pre-season to the point where they became the dominant talking-point for Richmond players and staff during the summer.
Former captain Chris Newman refused to address questions concerning the negative rumours, while coach Hardwick and new captain Trent Cotchin reiterated Martin's strong on-field pre-season preparations.

In any case, Martin was at the same time taken under the wing of new Richmond assistant coach Mark Williams who was tasked with supporting Martin off-field and in building structure and life skills for Martin when away from the strict processes of the club itself.
By the season's start Martin was in strong footballing form, arguably in his side's best players at half-time of both rounds 1 and 2.
However, second half drop-offs saw his performances end disappointingly.
In round 3 he turned in a complete four-quarter performance, lodging 35 disposals and seven inside-50s, and kicking two goals.
He reached 30 disposals for a second time in round 7 before kicking three goals in the second half of a match against Melbourne in round 8 to help Richmond to their fifth win of the season.
In round 12 he kicked a season best four goals in a win over Adelaide.
Between rounds 17 and 19 Martin turned in three consecutive games with more than 30 disposals, his first such stretch in his young career.
At the end of round 19 Martin was averaging 24.5 disposals per game.
By the end of the home and away season Martin had played in all of Richmond's matches, including its 15 wins.
That total saw the club finish fifth in the league and qualify for its first finals series in 12 years.
During an elimination final loss to Carlton Martin recorded six inside 50s, a goal and 19 disposals in a 20-point knock-out loss.
He also attracted the ire of the league's head office after celebrating a goal with a handcuff gesture to the crowd.
Martin was issued a $2,000 fine that was suspended for two years.
He later revealed the gesture had been in support of a friend who was incarcerated at the time.
Martin finished the year second to only captain Trent Cotchin in disposals at the club and posted the second most score involvements of any player in the league that season.
In addition, he was selected in the inaugural AFL Players Association 22under22 team, an annual award recognising the best young talent in the AFL.
He was at the same time chosen for the retrospectively selected 2012 team.
Martin also recorded his best Brownlow Medal performance to date (16 votes) as well as his highest-yet finish at the club's best and fairest, securing the Jack Titus medal for second place.

Following the conclusion of Richmond's season, Martin began a highly publicised test of the market for his playing services as he came out of his second AFL contract.
To that stage he had already rejected all of Richmond's early contract offers.
On 13 September, Richmond issued a statement announcing Martin would be pursuing contract offers from other clubs.
Six days later Martin was filmed by news media as he met with Greater Western Sydney officials and toured the club's training and administration facilities.
The Giants ruled themselves out of pursuit of Martin the very next day however, leaving him with very few options other than Richmond.
Melbourne, the other front-runner to secure him, had pulled out of the race the day prior.
Around this time media reports emerged suggesting the issue was primarily monetary, with Martin and his management rejecting Richmond's offer of roughly $500,000 per season in favour of a deal around six hundred thousand at another club.
The day before a Richmond-imposed decision deadline was to expire, Martin met with Essendon officials and coaches to discuss a potential move.
Despite the meeting, Martin would ultimately make the decision to stay with Richmond, signing a new two-year deal on 30 September.
Rumours concerning possible off-field misconduct circulated during the 2013 pre-season to the point where they became the dominant talking-point for Richmond players and staff during the summer. Former captain Chris Newman refused to address questions concerning the negative rumours, while coach Hardwick and new captain Trent Cotchin reiterated Martin's strong on-field pre-season preparations.
In any case, Martin was at the same time taken under the wing of new Richmond assistant coach Mark Williams who was tasked with supporting Martin off-field and in building structure and life skills for Martin when away from the strict processes of the club itself. By the season's start Martin was in strong footballing form, arguably in his side's best players at half-time of both rounds 1 and 2. However, second half drop-offs saw his performances end disappointingly. In round 3 he turned in a complete four-quarter performance, lodging 35 disposals and seven inside-50s, and kicking two goals. He reached 30 disposals for a second time in round 7 before kicking three goals in the second half of a match against Melbourne in round 8 to help Richmond to their fifth win of the season. In round 12 he kicked a season best four goals in a win over Adelaide. Between rounds 17 and 19 Martin turned in three consecutive games with more than 30 disposals, his first such stretch in his young career. At the end of round 19 Martin was averaging 24.5 disposals per game. By the end of the home and away season Martin had played in all of Richmond's matches, including its 15 wins. That total saw the club finish fifth in the league and qualify for its first finals series in 12 years. During an elimination final loss to Carlton Martin recorded six inside 50s, a goal and 19 disposals in a 20-point knock-out loss. He also attracted the ire of the league's head office after celebrating a goal with a handcuff gesture to the crowd. Martin was issued a $2,000 fine that was suspended for two years. He later revealed the gesture had been in support of a friend who was incarcerated at the time. Martin finished the year second to only captain Trent Cotchin in disposals at the club and posted the second most score involvements of any player in the league that season. In addition, he was selected in the inaugural AFL Players Association 22under22 team, an annual award recognising the best young talent in the AFL. He was at the same time chosen for the retrospectively selected 2012 team. Martin also recorded his best Brownlow Medal performance to date (16 votes) as well as his highest-yet finish at the club's best and fairest, securing the Jack Titus medal for second place.
Following the conclusion of Richmond's season, Martin began a highly publicised test of the market for his playing services as he came out of his second AFL contract. To that stage he had already rejected all of Richmond's early contract offers. On 13 September, Richmond issued a statement announcing Martin would be pursuing contract offers from other clubs. Six days later Martin was filmed by news media as he met with Greater Western Sydney officials and toured the club's training and administration facilities. The Giants ruled themselves out of pursuit of Martin the very next day however, leaving him with very few options other than Richmond. Melbourne, the other front-runner to secure him, had pulled out of the race the day prior. Around this time media reports emerged suggesting the issue was primarily monetary, with Martin and his management rejecting Richmond's offer of roughly $500,000 per season in favour of a deal around six hundred thousand at another club. The day before a Richmond-imposed decision deadline was to expire, Martin met with Essendon officials and coaches to discuss a potential move. Despite the meeting, Martin would ultimately make the decision to stay with Richmond, signing a new two-year deal on 30 September.
Dustin Martin