Dustin Martin’s 76-second interview at Grand Final parade

It started well with a genuine insight into Richmond debutant Marlion Pickett — but it was all downhill from there for Dustin Martin at the Grand Final parade as he gave media a big ‘don’t argue’ after just 76 seconds.

It was the Dusty Martin cold shoulder as lethal as his famous ‘don’t argue’. After the brilliant Richmond star’s no-show at a scheduled press conference on Monday the media pack made a beeline for him at yesterday’s Grand Final parade.

The famously media-shy Martin started with some genuine insight into Marlion Pickett after the shock debutant bunked down at the Martin residence in his first weeks at the club.

Dustin Martin gave media the cold shoulder at the Grand Final parade. Picture: Getty Images

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Yet like Martin burning away from a stoppage, he was gone before anyone could tackle him on the curly questions.

His media contribution to the parade lasted just five questions and 76 seconds before Martin turned his back and simply refused to answer any more questions.

Asked about likely tagger Matt de Boer, he simply answered: “Mate, I am not going to do any more questions.” And then he turned away from those waiting cameras.

The more the media probed, the further he turned his back and towards his good mate and protector Trent Cotchin sitting beside him in the back of the parade car.

The media was left without answers on the impending de Boer-Martin battle, why he snapped in Round 3 against de Boer and any potential follow-up sledging of Shane Mumford following his fine for mocking his cocaine episode.

Yet on a day when 43 players were happy to talk it was more comical than controversial — another chapter in those magnificent Dusty Files.

In that minute before he retreated back into his shell he seemed genuinely thrilled for former housemate Pickett.

Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin show love for the Tiger faithful. Picture: Getty Images

“He is just a genuine caring person and put his head down and worked hard and I couldn’t be prouder of him or the club for giving him a chance,” he said.

“It’s special and he will be up to it. I am looking forward to seeing what he can bring.”

Martin said he was much more relaxed than in 2017 — and much fitter than last year’s preliminary final loss when he could hardly run.

“You always have got little niggles here and there, but it’s good to be a bit fresher,” he said.

A handful of cars behind him, Jack Dyer Medal favourite Dion Prestia was much more effusive about the challenge de Boer would bring.

Midfield coach Adam Kingsley has already prepared Martin and Prestia for the tagging Giants’ tactics, even if Prestia will back in his hard-running style.

“I think against Carlton (Ed) Curnow might have gone to me halfway through the first quarter. It’s the only attention I have had for a while,” he said.

And what happened in that Round 21 battle, as Prestia ran himself ragged with 35 touches?

“I got three Brownlow votes, so hopefully the same thing can happen this week,” Prestia said with a laugh.

“I just talked about it when went through my tape with Adam Kingsley, our midfield coach

“It was showing different things we can do, we looked at different things (Adam) Treloar and (Scott) Pendlebury did.

“I don’t want to give too much away, we just won’t make it easy for him, not being stationary and not allowing him to tag too easily.”