Manager to the stars Ralph Carr may hold key to Dusty decision

DUSTIN Martin’s father Shane is central to the Richmond star’s multi-million-dollar contract negotiations. But so too is manager to the stars, Ralph Carr.

AS Tigerland nervously awaits Dustin Martin’s decision on whether he’ll stay at Punt Rd, two figures central to the multi-million-dollar contract negotiations stepped into the spotlight on Monday.

Shane Martin, the Richmond superstar’s controversial father, chauffeured his son from Auckland airport to a five-star hotel downtown.

And Ralph Carr, a manager involved in the careers of successful entertainment figures including Tina Arena, Jon Stevens, Richard Wilkins and Kate Ceberano, shadowed his high-profile client through the departure and arrival halls on both sides of the Tasman.

The trio convened in the harbourside city — a three-hour flight from Melbourne and a world away from AFL culture and the frenzy surrounding Martin — to discuss the footballer’s future.

Shane Martin made headlines as one of 81 current or former bikie gang members whose visas were cancelled by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton as part of a federal government crackdown.

He had moved to Australia from New Zealand in 1990. But deportation has forced him to spend the past 18 months away from his son and other family and friends.

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Dustin Martin's father Shane on the balcony of their hotel in Auckland. Picture: Simon Runting

“You’ve got no idea what it’s done to my kids,” he said earlier this year.

“How can you be a father when you’re overseas?

“Fair enough if I was a sh--bag, but I’m not.”

Dustin Martin has repeatedly pleaded with officials to allow his father back across the ditch. He has said: “If he was a criminal, I’d cop it. But they have just taken him away for association.

“Without him, it’s been ­really hard,” he said.

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Carr also offers him encouragement and support.

The manager’s success ­stories in entertainment — singers Arena, Stevens, Ceberano and Vanessa Amorosi, and magician Cosentino — are well documented.

Ralph Carr with Richard Wilkins. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Ralph Carr and Molly Meldrum at a Christmas party in 2001.

Ralph Carr with Vanessa Amorosi.

But Carr — who wed Arena in 1995, but then went through a tumultuous split just four years later — is also a private man. A tough operator in a ruthless business, he would, Ceberano once said, “take a bullet” for any of his artists.

Now wed to Emma, a nurse, they have two young children, Jada and Levi.

About five years ago, Carr started RCM Sports to satisfy his other passion: AFL. In fact, 25 years ago, Carr played footy and trained with his beloved Carlton Blues, before choosing the music business.

“I played a lot when I was younger, but my talents now lie off the field,” he said in 2012. “I think I am well versed in every area, having played AFL as a kid, being on the board of the Carlton Football Club and now representing players with RCM Sport.”

Ralph Carr with then-wife Tina Arena.

Kate Ceberano once said Ralph Carr would “take a bullet” for any of his artists.

Asked about the differences in managing rock stars and ruckmen, Carr said: “It’s suits versus T-shirts, ties versus sneakers. But it’s not too far removed from any other business. It’s still dealing with clients, who I see as brands.

“I hope I can manage a good group of AFL footballers to help them achieve their goals and dreams.”

With Dustin Martin’s discussions in full swing, who knows how — and where — his dreams will play out?

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