Don’t argue: Dusty fans call to immortalise Tigers hero

As Dustin Martin prepares to play his 300th game, Richmond heavyweights and fans are pushing for a lasting memorial to the Tigers legend.

Kate Montgomery and Nathaniel Lowe with Charlie, 9, Alfie, 11 and Jack, 8 ahead of Dusty’s 300th game. Picture: Jason Edwards

Richmond heavyweights and yellow and black faithful have called for a lasting memorial to be struck of Tigers legend Dustin Martin at the club’s spiritual heartland or outside the MCG.

As Martin prepares to play his 300th match this weekend, Richmond royalty have flagged everything from a statue to a future grandstand at a revamped Punt Rd Oval be named in his honour.

There is even talk of a bronze statue of Martin taking centre stage in a new Richmond boulevard of champions walkway between the Punt Rd Oval and the MCG.

Richmond royalty have flagged everything from a statue of Dusty to a future grandstand at a revamped Punt Rd Oval be named in his honour. Picture: Getty Images

In an exclusive interview, Richmond president John O’Rourke said Martin was “the most exhilarating player’’ most fans had seen and a statue in full “don’t argue” mode “would be entirely appropriate’’.

“I’d love to see that at Punt Rd as part of our new redevelopment,’’ he said.

“But there are also great names around the MCG and I wouldn’t argue if there was a case being made that puts him right up there with those great champions.’’

Charlie, 9, Jack, 8 and Alfie, 11. Picture: Jason Edwards

Richmond cheer squad president Gerard Egan said “Dusty needs some acknowlegement’’ and proposed an avenue of Richmond champions including existing statues of Tigers greats Kevin Bartlett and Jack Dyer.

“There should be plans to name something in his honour and my firm belief is Kevin Bartlett’s statue in the park outside the MCG is in the wrong place, that needs to be moved,’’ he said.

“That walkway between the MCG and Punt Rd Oval is the perfect place for Kevin to reside as well as Dusty — it’s the ideal spot to put the Richmond champions.’’

Mr O’Rourke said redevelopment plans for Richmond’s headquarters made it: “a good idea worth exploring.

“The design does have a much better and beautiful walkway at a single level that will go from Punt Rd across to the MCG.

“We will have the location for it, so I will take that one on-board.’’

Richmond president John O’Rourke said Martin is ‘the most exhilarating player’ most fans have seen. Picture: Getty Images

Kate Montgomery and Nathaniel Lowe with Charlie, 9, Alfie, 11 and Jack, 8 ahead of Dusty’s 300th game. Picture: Jason Edwards

Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said Martin was "extraordinarily popular, cut across age and gender, had … created many wonderful memories’’ and deserved “hero” status.

“I think you need to let time elapse on these sorts of things but clearly the redevelopment gives us a great opportunity to honour our past, our rich history, celebrate the present and the future,’’ he said.

“There will be conversations of that nature.’’

The soon to be demolished Jack Dyer Stand, built in 1914, will be rebuilt bigger as the centrepiece of the Punt Rd Oval revamp but Mr O’Rourke said Martin’s name could form part of future stands.

“Who knows down the track?’’ he said.

Fans flocking to the footy Saturday night can even get a haircut like their premiership hero. Picture: Getty Images

Dustin Martin at Richmond training ahead of his 300th game. Picture: Jason Edwards

A crowd of up to 85,000 is expected for Richmond’s clash with Hawthorn on Saturday and thousands more Tigers tragics will cheer the triple premiership star at an open training on Friday morning.

Richmond will open the gates to the Punt Rd Oval from 9.15am and cash in on the occasion with a range of limited edition Martin collectables at its “Roar Store’’.

The “Dusty 300 collection’’ will feature a celebratory guernsey, T-shirts, hoodies, scarfs, mugs, beer coolers, bobbleheads, a bar runner and badges all specially designed to fete the Brownlow Medallist.

The club is also selling “Dusty 300” memberships including a commemorative beanie, in a bid to turn the MCG yellow and black for the match.

And fans flocking to the footy Saturday night will even be able to get a haircut like their premiership hero, with barber chairs to be set up on the MCG concourses offering Dustry cuts pre-match.

Originally published as Don’t argue: Dusty fans call to immortalise Tigers hero