Richmond’s reluctant superstar Dustin Martin can lay claim to the title of greatest-ever Tiger after bringing down the curtain on one of the AFL’s most remarkable careers.
Martin, who retired effective immediately on Tuesday, was pivotal to ending Richmond’s 37-year premiership drought in 2017 and went on to arguably become the greatest finals player of all time.
The powerful goalkicking midfielder won three premierships and three Norm Smith Medals with the Tigers in 2017, 2019 and 2020, along with the 2017 Brownlow Medal.
While 33-year-old Martin won’t play again, Tigers fans will have the chance to farewell him at their round-23 home fixture against Gold Coast, who are coached by his former mentor Damien Hardwick.
Martin is the only player to be crowned best-on-ground in an AFL grand final three times, with Hawthorn great Luke Hodge (2008, 2014), Adelaide legend Andrew McLeod (1997, 1998) and Hawks hero Gary Ayres (1986, 1988) the others to have done it more than once.
He will go down in history as possibly the greatest Richmond player, sitting comfortably up there with Kevin Bartlett, Jack Dyer and Francis Bourke.
“He’s got to be right up the top somewhere,” former Richmond football boss Neil Balme said on 3AW radio.
“If you had to pick someone to play for your life, he’s certainly in that group.”
Martin played 302 games and kicked 338 goals but was restricted to just 13 appearances this year, when his bumper seven-year contract ended, as speculation swirled around his future amid links to Gold Coast.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale fronted a press conference on Tuesday without the famously media-shy Martin, and admitted he wasn’t surprised by his decision.
“It’s a decision that I’d say it’s been a burden for some time with Dustin,” he said.
“He’s found the game physically and mentally challenging over the last few weeks, particularly wrestling with his decision.
“So we just felt for somebody of his stature that it was important to arrive at it in his own way, in his own time.”
Martin informed his teammates on Tuesday of his decision.
“It is hard to put into words what the Richmond Football Club means to me, I love this place so much,” Martin said in a statement.
“I will be forever grateful for the love and the support I have received from the people here.
“The memories that we have created together will live with me forever.”
The superstar Tiger’s influence went beyond his magic with ball in hand.
His ‘don’t argue’ fend-off was a trademark, while fans partied in Swan Street and lined up for “Dusty cuts” at barbers amid his 2017 heroics.
“To this day, I don’t think Dustin really understands his standing in our game, in our club – and impact,” Gale said.
“That’s the humility of the man – that he’s incredibly humble, despite everything he’s achieved, everything he’s done.”
Martin escalated himself into Tiger folklore with his stunning 2017 season, when he rejected North Melbourne’s advances and re-signed.
“It didn’t feel like it (he would leave) at the time. It didn’t. But perhaps on reflection it was closer than what I thought,” Gale said.
“He made a really strong decision, didn’t he? And the rest is history.”
Drafted at pick No.3 in the 2009 AFL draft, Martin debuted in round one, 2010 and never played in the reserves.
He won club best and fairests in 2016 and 2017 and was named All-Australian in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020.
A bumper crowd of 92,311 turned out at the MCG in June for Martin’s 300th game, despite the Tigers struggling (2-18) and heading towards collecting their first wooden spoon since 2004.
Gale believed Martin had been tempted to hang up the boots then.
Martin’s only interview during the week of his 300th game was with former Richmond teammate Jack Riewoldt after the game.
“I’ve been so blessed over my whole career, it’s been an unbelievable journey,” he told Riewoldt on the ground.
“I really can’t believe it.”
