'Don't really care': Richmond coach hits back at Dustin...

Richmond coach Adem Yze has defended the decision to allow superstar veteran Dustin Martin to travel to New Zealand while he struggles to shake a nagging back injury.

Martin missed games against Fremantle, GWS and Port Adelaide, all losses, with the persistent injury, and was allowed to leave the country to visit with family during his rehab.

Speaking to reporters after the Tigers' 41-point loss to the Power at Adelaide Oval, it was put to Yze that some might question the wisdom of letting a 33-year-old with a bad back undertake two lengthy international flights while trying to regain full fitness.

'I don't really care what other people say ... he needed some time away,' Yze said.

'He wasn't going to be available to play, so he got away and spent some time with family, and he'll come back into our program and try to get fit for the next game.

'The week before he had some time away, his back was a bit crook, so he's come back and he will hopefully train this week and hopefully be available for the Collingwood game.

'He was a bit sore the other day when he did get back and couldn't finish training, so we need a full week of training for him to be available.'

Speculation about Martin's playing future beyond this season continues, with a reunion with premiership coach Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast or even retirement an option for the triple-premiership star.

While Martin is some chance to play against the reigning premiers, skipper Toby Nankervis was subbed out against the Power at three-quarter time and is set to enter concussion protocols.

Richmond will get some respite from its injury crisis, with Tim Taranto and Nick Vlastuin set to return to the line-up.

'I think we only had three or four players that we could choose from that didn't get a game (against Port),' Yze said.

'So that side of it, we're really proud of our players and the way that they're fighting.

'But at the same time, we just need to get better.'

Despite their lengthy injury list, the young Tigers showed impressive fight to trail the Power by just 10 points at three-quarter time before slipping to a fifth loss in a row that kept them anchored to the bottom of the ladder.

'I was rapt with our mindset in the last quarter in trying to win the game and not just have an honourable loss, but our boys are hurting,' the coach said.

'Our fans expect a lot from us, and so do we, so I'd hope that up until three-quarter time that they were proud of our performance.

'But we've just got to finish off games better.'