Shane Martin speaks about his Richmond star son Dustin Martin

DUSTIN Martin’s bikie dad says his son has matured since his deportation to New Zealand and he’s confident the Tigers star is in a good headspace for the Grand Final.

Shane Martin says his deportation has made son Dustin stronger. Picture: Sky News

DUSTIN Martin’s bikie dad says the saga involving his deportation to New Zealand has made the Richmond star stronger.

Shane Martin spoke to Sky News from his Auckland home ahead of a huge week for his son, who is favourite to take out tonight’s Brownlow Medal before taking the field for the Tigers in their first grand final in 35 years.

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“He’ll be right. We talk before every game. So, you know, treat it like another game — so there’s no pressure,” Martin said.

Shane Martin is banned from coming back to Australia to watch Dustin play this weekend, because his visa was cancelled under section 501 of the migration act over his links to the Rebels motorcycle gang.

Shane Martin says his deportation has made son Dustin stronger. Picture: Sky News

Despite not having his dad man in the crowd this weekend, Dustin Martin is in a “really good head space,” his father says.

“He’s matured, I reckon, since all this has happened. It’s made him a bit stronger. And as I said to him, just let your boots do the talking,” he told Sky News.

“Obviously he’s letting it all happen this year, so (I’m) very proud of the way he’s matured into things.”

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Shane Martin will be watching the game from his local pub — the Right Track hotel — where, on Saturday night, he watched his 25 year old son help lead Richmond to the victory, and the grand final this weekend.

Following the game, Dustin Martin gave a special shout out to his old man — saying “G’Day” from across the ditch.

“I wish you were here mate. I love you,” Dustin Martin said.

Shane Martin said hearing those words “just makes you emotional mate, you know … it is what it is.”

Dustin Martin and Shane Edwards celebrate after the game. Picture: Michael Klein

But he was not asking for any sympathy.

“He’s strong, we’re all strong. We’re all alive,” he said.

He said it hurt that he wouldn’t be able to watch the game in person.

“But, you know, it is what it is, and I’m here doing what I have to do,” he said.

“But then, you know, it’s about him anyway — not about me.”

Last month a High Court judge found Immigration Minister Peter Dutton was wrong to deport Shane Martin, along with other Kiwis with bikie links, under section 501 of the migration act — a decision that seemingly would have reversed the deportation and allowed Mr Martin to come home in time to watch his son play the biggest game of his career.

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However, following that judgment, Mr Dutton rushed through an amendment to the act that would see the original deportations stand.

Shane Martin said this was “just another obstacle” to climb over in his attempt to come home.

“We’re going to take it to another level, that’s what I’ve been told by my legal side,” he said.

“We’re not going to give up mate.”

The Prime Minister has been unrepentant about cancelling Shane Martin’s visa, telling 3AW this month that he was kicked out of the country “because of his criminal record and association with outlaw motorcycle gangs.”

“We make no apologies for this, in fact we’re proud of it,” Malcolm Turnbull said.

As for tonight’s Brownlow, Shane Martin isn’t celebrating for his son just yet.

“They reckon he’s got it, but we’ll just have to wait and see. You never know do you?” he said.