Emotional Dustin Martin sends shout out to father Shane in New Zealand
Dustin Martin is a hard footballer but that facade cracked in one post-match moment for the slightly teary-eyed Norm Smith Medallist.
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Dustin Martin may have let rip a gruff, screeching “yellow and black” into the microphone after he became a two-time Norm Smith Medallist but it was an earlier moment that showed where the Tigers’ star heart really belongs.
A teary-eyed Martin was interviewed post-match by Richmond great Matthew Richardson about his second Grand Final win, his four goals and even first-gamer and feel good story Marlion Pickett.
Martin who racked up 22 disposals, took four marks and kicked four goals straight in a performance where the only real blemish was him unloading a foul-mouthed spray at umpire ‘Razor’ Ray Chamberlain that saw him give away a 50m penalty, finished his interview with Richardson by sending a shout out across the Tasman to his deported father after being asked about Pickett, who was given a second chance at footy by the Tigers after spending time in prison.
“The club has given him a second chance,” Martin said of Pickett.
“People make mistakes, I could not have been prouder of the club taking a chance on him.
“And super proud of him for putting his head down and it (his goal) was pretty sweet wasn’t it.
“And I just want to say g’day to dad in New Zealand — I love ya mate.”
His father Shane was again forced to watch his son’s big day from across the ditch due to having his Australian visa cancelled by the Federal Government in 2016 in relation to his connections to bikie gangs.
Martin had earlier told The Herald Sun he one day hoped to return to Australia and see his son play for the Tigers on the big stage.
“It’s pretty hard not to be there but it is what it is,” he told The Herald Sun on Friday.
“I’d love to, that is what father’s do and what dreams are made of — watching your sons be who they are,’’ he said.
“They’re proud moments.’’
In winning his second Norm Smith Medal, Martin became the fourth player to achieve the feat alongside Hawthorn greats Gary Ayres and Luke Hodge as well as former Adelaide star Andrew McLeod.
Originally published as Emotional Dustin Martin sends shout out to father Shane in New Zealand