Matthew Richardson calls for a Dustin Martin ‘Don’t Argue’ statue at Punt Road

Dustin Martin will leave an enduring legacy on the AFL, and one Tigers great is calling for the champion to be front and centre at the home of footy forever, striking his trademark ‘Don’t Argue’.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 24: Dustin Martin of the Tigers celebrates with his Norm Smith Medal and Premiership Medal during the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand Final match between the Richmond Tigers and the Geelong Cats at The Gabba on October 24, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond great Matthew Richardson says Dustin Martin is worthy of a ‘Don’t Argue’ statue in the MCG precinct in the future following the superstar’s retirement on Tuesday.

Martin, 33, called an end to his remarkable AFL career after telling teammates of his decision, with his former club and Tigers’ fans already working on tangible tributes to one of the game’s greatest footballers, who played 302 games and won a record three Norm Smith Medals.

Richardson said Martin’s impact on Richmond – and the game itself – was deserving of the highest accolades, including future inclusion as a Legend in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

He said on 3AW a statue of Martin with his trademark ‘Don’t Argue’ pose, which played a big part in the Tigers’ three premierships in four seasons, would be perfect to sit alongside the Jack Dyer statue, which sits outside the club’s Punt Rd home base.

Martin’s trademark ‘Don’t Argue’ terrorised opponents. Photo by Michael Klein

“Absolutely, I’ve heard it talked about today … I’d love to see a statue of him there at some stage next to Jack for sure,” Richardson said. “Jack is sort of the iconic figure of the past and Dusty is the iconic figure of the last 15 years, they’re both larger than life.”

The Richmond legend said there was no way the Tigers would’ve been able to form their premiership dynasty without Martin.

“Would we have won them without him? Oh geez not all three, there’s no doubt about that they might have won one but not all three,” Richardson said.

“In 2020 he won it off his own boot; certainly they wouldn’t have won that one without him … you mightn’t win any if you don’t have him.

“He was pretty much the best player in nearly every final through that era, just the best big moments player I’ve seen, there’s no doubt about that.”

Richardson added that Martin’s policy of not speaking to the media further added to his legacy as a “mystery man”.

“It’s created this sort of aura about him … I love the fact that he’s probably going to sail off into the sunset and we won’t hear from him,” he said.

“Richmond supporters (are) just so grateful for the happiness he has bought them … he doesn’t owe us anything.

“Who else can leave their car at the MCG for six months and not get a ticket or get it towed away? Only Dusty.”

Martin was central to a dynasty at Richmond. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Herald Sun understands the Richmond Football Club is more than likely to push for a future Martin statue in the MCG parklands in the coming years.

The MCG’s Ave of Legends includes the likes of Kevin Bartlett, Leigh Matthews, Ron Barassi, Jim Stynes, John Coleman, Norm Smith, Haydn Bunton and Dick Reynolds.

Bartlett was the last football addition to The Ave of Legends in 2017, although a Martin statue may have to wait until he is eligible for the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Martin’s retirement came 41 years to the day since Bartlett became the first VFL-AFL player to reach 400 games.

Martin played 171 of his 302 games at the MCG, including two grand final victories as well as a spectacular 92,000-plus crowd attending his 300th game earlier this season.

Originally published as Matthew Richardson calls for a Dustin Martin ‘Don’t Argue’ statue at Punt Road