AFL 2024: Dustin Martin’s manager Ralph Carr responds to speculation the champion Tiger will quit the game

There was a rumour floating around on Monday night that Richmond superstar Dustin Martin was ready to hang up the boots – Mark Robinson has the truth.

Dustin Martin’s manager Ralph Carr has shot down overnight speculation the champion Tiger will quit the game.

“Dustin at this point has no intention of retiring, and he has never lost his love for AFL football.” Carr told this masthead.

“The Richmond Football Club, the AFL and family has been an incredible support to him and I personally know that he wants to stay in the game as long as possible.

“I also want to thank all supporters of the game for supporting ‘the people’s champion’ Dustin Martin.”

Dustin Martin in action for the Tigers on Sunday. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

It’s believed Carr told AFL great Wayne Carey late on Monday night there was no truth to the rumour which was floated on Carey’s podcast by co-host Tony Sheahan.

Martin, 32, is one of the greats of the modern era, having claimed the Norm Smith Medal in each of the Tigers’ 2017, 2019 and 2020 premierships.

He’s also a four-time All-Australian and 2017 Brownlow Medallist with 292 games under his belt.

Speaking on The Truth Hurts Podcast with Wayne Carey, Sheahan said he had heard Martin was ready to hang up the boots.

“I’m hearing some shocking information out of Tigerland,” he said.

“My understanding is that Dustin Martin is threatening to walk away, wants to finish on a high.”

Martin with manager Ralph Carr after winning the 2017 Brownlow Medal. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

However, Carr shut down these rumours, and said Martin had no intentions of retiring.

Martin had his best game of the season in the Tigers’ 9.13 (67) to 9.6 (60) loss to St Kilda, which left the club languishing in 14th on the AFL ladder with a 1-3 record in 2024.

Tigers coach Adem Yze said Martin was important for the team.

“Having Dustin back in the side is a great thing for our team – he’ll still have a mixture of inside midfield time and forward, Shai (Bolton) is doing the same,” he said.

“We’ll look at the balance of our team … but to have him available is great for our group.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Dustin Martin’s manager Ralph Carr responds to speculation the champion Tiger will quit the game