Don't argue! Richmond's Dustin Martin announces immediate ...
Richmond great Dustin Martin has retired, effective immediately, and fellow AFL great Tom Hawkins has announced his career will close at the end of this season.
Martin, a three-time Norm Smith medallist, triple premiership player, Brownlow medallist, four-time All Australian, three-time Gary Ayres medallist and dual Jack Dyer Medal winner told teammates on Tuesday morning of the decision to end his 15-year career.
Hawkins, also a three-time premiership player, is trying to fight his way back from injury in time for finals, with Geelong chasing a top-four finish in the home-and-away season.
Farewell: Dustin Martin played his final AFL match last weekend against the Kangaroos.Credit: Getty Images
Famed for his “don’t argue” fend-off, Martin announced his retirement with a typical lack of fanfare – quietly on Tuesday morning with no press conference and no farewell game.
“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. To my teammates, the brotherhood that we all share is what I value most, as well as the bond with the staff and coaches … thank you to all of you.
“To my family and friends, thank you for your unconditional love and support.
“To the Tiger Army, I have always felt loved and supported throughout my career, and for that, I will be forever grateful. The memories that we have created together will live with me forever. Thank you.”
Hawkins will hold a press conference at Geelong on Tuesday afternoon, alongside his coach Chris Scott. He has played 359 games and kicked 796 goals for the Cats, the same club his father Jack, and maternal grandfather Fred Le Deux played for.
Tom Hawkins.Credit: Getty Images
Martin, 33, played 302 games and booted 338 goals.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said Martin was one of the club’s greats.
“So much has been said about Dustin’s impact on our club and the competition, but more than anything, and put simply, I think it is the joy that he gave the Tiger Army and those around him that might mean the most,” Gale said.
“Three premierships and best on ground in each of them will always be his legend, and rightly, it, along with his unique aura, will be what he is best remembered for.
“But I think Dustin would be most proud of what he was able to achieve playing for a team, for our team, and the magnificent role he was able to play within that system, which let him be every bit the footballing genius that he was always destined to be.
“That genius was most evident when the stakes were at their highest, when the crowd was at its loudest, when all eyes were on him, and when the moments needed a hero.
“Dustin did it his way, and we are all just so lucky to have been Richmond people during his era of dominance.
“So, all I can say on behalf of everyone associated with our great club is thank you to an icon. To our icon.”
Martin’s retirement comes almost two months after 92,311 turned up at the MCG to celebrate his 300th game when the Tigers hosted Hawthorn in round 14, and follows ongoing speculation about his future.
His final game for the Tigers was Saturday’s loss to North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium; a result that left the club mired to the bottom of the ladder and now likely to finish the season with the wooden spoon.
But that mattered little to Tigers fans – nor other footy lovers – on Tuesday as tributes started to flow for the esteemed master of the “big-game”.
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On X, Martin’s long-time manager Ralph Carr described the Tigers No.4 – who was recruited to the Tigers via the Bendigo Pioneers and Castlemaine – as “the people’s champion”.
“Dustin Martin ‘the peoples champion’ to me exemplifies loyalty and excellence in AFL. His dedication to the RFC and fans was and is unquestionable … Love you my friend,” Carr posted.
More to come
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