AFL Grand Final bittersweet for footy father, Shane Martin

While he’ll be forced to watch this weekend’s Grand Final from the comfort of a New Zealand pub, Shane Martin couldn’t be prouder to see his son, Dustin, perform on the main stage.

Shane Martin will be cheering his son, Dustin, on from the comfort of a New Zealand pub.

Dustin Martin’s dad has backed his famous son to help Richmond to its second premiership in three years as more than 100,000 fans today prepare to cheer their Grand Final heroes.

Shane Martin will watch Saturday’s Richmond-Greater Western Sydney final from New Zealand after having his Australian visa cancelled by the Federal Government in 2016.

As footy fans today line city streets for the Grand Final Parade, Martin told the Herald Sun he was thrilled for his son but devastated he could not see him play at the MCG.

“I’m very proud mate, words can’t explain it to be honest,’’ he said.

“It’s pretty hard not to be there but it is what it is.’’

Despite living in other parts of the world, Shane Martin’s love and support for his son, Dustin, is as strong as ever.

Showers have been tipped and fans urged to pack an umbrella and jacket as they cheer their footy heroes from the Old Treasury Building to Yarra Park outside the MCG.

But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said “huge” crowds would line the route to cheer Richmond and Greater Western Sydney players regardless of what the weather gods delivered.

“I think there will be 150,000, 200,000 people,’’ he said.

“It’s a public holiday, beyond Richmond there will be football families there … so it’s going to be packed and it’s going to be a great day.’’

Among the Richmond players taking part in today’s parade will be fairytale debutante Marlion Pickett who will play his first AFL match in the Grand Final.

Shane Martin said Dusty would take the debutante under his wing on football’s greatest stage.

“Dustin is all about his teammates, he’s not about himself, it’s always about his teammates,’’ he said.

“All the Tigers are the same, you never hear them bragging, they are always praising their teammates and the club is pretty tight and family orientated.’’

Former bikie Martin, who watched his son win the 2017 flag and Brownlow Medal from New Zealand, will watch the Grand Final from the Right Track pub in Auckland.

But he hoped to one day return to Melbourne to watch his son play for the Tigers.

“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.’’

Thousands are expected to line the streets of Melbourne to cheer on the Grand Final stars in the annual Parade.

Today’s Parade will commence at noon, travelling along Spring St and Wellington Parade to the MCG.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron urged people attending today’s parade to expect rain.

“We will see dry conditions to start the parade but I think as we lead into the latter part of the afternoon we will see some showers developing and cooler, southerly winds as well.

“So if you are headed to the parade, do take a jacket and a brolly.’’

He said fans lucky enough to have a ticket to the match — or hosting Grand Final barbecues — need not worry about wet weather on Saturday.

“The only average thing about this weekend’s Grand Final is the weather really,’’ he said.

“We are looking at a top of 16C, partly cloudy skies as well and light south westerly winds.’’

But first, Richmond fans will pack into Punt Rd Oval this morning for an open training session.

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Despite not seeing Dusty’s on-field exploits live for several years, Shane Martin said he could sense how big a deal his son was to the football world.

“He is who he is,’’ he said.

“People love him … it’s something to be proud of as a footballer and a person.’’

With the streets of Richmond already dressed in yellow and black by loyal fans and even traffic signs on the fringe of the suburb declaring “entering Tigerland’’, excitement is building.

But Shane Martin hoped his son could help the Tigers deliver a 12th premiership to its massive supporter base.

“It would be awesome if they did it,’’ he said.

`‘Good luck to both sides really but I’d like the Tigers to win of course.’’

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