What do Dustin Martin’s tattoos stand for?

RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin has some mean ink, costing an estimated $15,000 and taking up to 100 hours. But what do all those tatts mean?

RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin has vowed to get a premiership tattoo if the Tigers break their flag drought that stretches back to 1980.

It’s estimated the loyal Tiger, now 26, has more than $15,000 worth of ink on his body, taking up to 100 hours.

Martin was drafted in 2009 and was starting to make his mark at Punt Rd when he decided to get neck tattoos that mirror those stamped on his father, Shane.

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Cleanskin: Dusty in 2010.

Martin has spent years adding to his ink. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

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But despite the permanent decision eight years ago, Martin says he has no regrets about his neck tatts.

“It’s a funny place to get your second tattoos on your neck, (but) that is just (about) my family heritage, so it means a lot to me,” Martin told The Footy Show in footage that didn’t make it to air in August.

“Obviously my dad (Shane) is from New Zealand. They (the tattoos) are bloodlines from my dad’s great grandmother’s tribe and the other side is like a family gathering place.”

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Martin has the Maori words “Ngati Maru”, which refers to his family’s North Island tribe, and also “Matai Whetu”, which refers to a meeting place.

“When you are young, you don’t think too much before you go and do it, but I don’t regret it,” he said.

Martin’s mother, Kathy Knight, revealed to the Herald Sun recently she had to learn to adjust to her son’s neck ink.

“I was depressed for a week when he got the neck tattoos, he’d just turned 18,” she said.

“I just keep telling myself that they suit him.”

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Martin at the open training session today. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

When Martin was first drafted, he and his dad got matching “Live Free. Die Free” tattoos across their torsos.

“Me and Dad got it and it is just kind of a saying that we came up with together,” Martin explained previously.

“He’s been a great support, as has all my family. They have been a big part of getting me here.”

But if Tigers roar their way into the grand final and win next Saturday, Martin said he hoped to add to his collection and get a premiership tattoo stamped proudly on his body.

Tattoo artist Ruby Kubetz said the matchwinner’s tattoos are “very” detailed pieces and would have taken up to 100 hours in total.

Dustin Martin. Picture: AAP/Tracey Nearmy

“Neck tattoos can take longer because the skin is difficult and the positioning of the client can be tricky,” she said.

“I would say his neck script would have taken between two to four hours.”

Ms Kubetz, who works at Mans Ruin Tattoo in Fitzroy St, said Martin’s skull tattoo on his hand would have taken close to five hours.

“His thigh tattoo is super detailed and pretty massive. I’d say it took over 10 hours to do.”

Ms Kubetz has been a tattoo artist for more than four years and says most people body’s can generally only take up to 6-8 hours of work before clients need to “tap out”.

“Dustin’s arms and legs would have taken the longest time as they are very detailed pieces and there would’ve been multiple sessions,” she said.

“Generally a full sleeve can take anywhere between 20-40 hours, maybe even depending on how much detail or how big or small the persons body is.”

She added: “But of course, it’s something the artist who did them would only know.”

WHAT HIS TATTOOS MEAN

Laughing mask on his knee

Symbolises “laugh now, cry later” which means live life to the max now and fret about the consequences later. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“Live Free. Die Free” across his torso

A saying and tattoo Martin and his dad share together.

Neck script

“Matai Whetu” refers to a meeting place. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“Ngati Maru” refers to his family’s North Island tribe. Picture: AAP

Money/dollar signs

Cash represents gambling. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

XXVI VI XCI

Martin’s birthday, 26/6/91. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Dice

Dice representing the saying, “life’s a gamble”. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Skulls

Represents death. But Ms Kubetz said most people get skull tattoos because they “look good”. Picture: AAP/Joe Castro

HOW LONG THEY TOOK

Full sleeve: 20-40 hours

Thigh: more than 10 hours.

Neck script: 2 to 4 hours.

Skull tattoo on his hand: 5 hours