Caroline Wilson says Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick needs to move on from the fairytale that his club could land Richmond legend Dustin Martin.
Instead, Wilson is urging Hardwick to realise how much potential he already has on the playing list at the Suns.
Wilson's comments come after speculation again grew around Martin's playing future, with his mega nine-year deal with the Tigers coming to an end in 2024.
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He has not signed on with Richmond, or indicated that any conversations around his future have begun, but Martin has still been heavily linked to Hardwick and the Suns.
The former Richmond coach, who led the club to three flags and also guided Martin during his tenure, added fuel to speculations that the 33-year-old star could be headed to his new team next season.
"He's a really, really good player, there's no doubt about that, and every single club would be crazy if they didn't sit there and at some stage make an assessment," Hardwick said last week.
"Like 17 other clubs, we're always looking for good players.
"Those list management calls will get made towards the back end of the year."
Now, Wilson has fired back at Hardwick's refusal to shut down suggestions that Martin could be at the Suns in 2025.
"Damien, I reckon the more mature answer would have been, 'no, Dustin Martin's a champion, he's a 300-gamer, possibly Richmond's greatest ever player, but he's not a part of our future and he should remain a Tiger'," Wilson said on Nine's Footy Classified on Monday night.
Wilson also encouraged Hardwick to look at his current playing group, to see he already has capable players ready to push for a chance at finals for the first time in the club's short history.
"Gold Coast have some brilliant players and their future are guys like (Touk) Miller, (Noah) Anderson and (Matt) Rowell and (Bailey) Humphrey," she said.
"They don't need comments like that from their coach. They don't need Dustin Martin to win a premiership.
"In your own words Damien, you have some wonderful new toys up there. Get them going and let Dustin Martin remain a one-club player."
Martin, who has naturally slowed down with age, hasn't been able to have the same impact this season, as in previous years.
However, it's not his changing game style that has Wilson concerned.
It's the growing speculation of what is next, that is hindering Richmond and the Suns' chances of focusing on finals and rebuilding.
"I don't see him in any way being part of their plans. I think Dustin is becoming a bit of a distraction at Richmond and I don't think he needs to become a distraction on the Gold Coast," Wilson said.
"I don't think that's the right message to send to his players. They don't need Dustin Martin, in my opinion. I think he is the last thing they need.
"Don't you think some players, for the sake of the game and some romance, should be one-club players?"
The Tigers slipped to 18th on the ladder after round 17.
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