Dustin Martin announces retirement from the AFL

Richmond’s Dustin Martin has dropped a bombshell on his teammates surrounding his future in the game.

Dusty has hung up the boots. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Richmond legend Dustin Martin has hung up the boots.

After 15 years at the club, Martin confirmed the decision to his teammates on Tuesday with his retirement taking immediate affect.

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The 33-year-old has been at the centre of speculation surrounding his future in the game all season long.

On Tuesday morning he addressed his teammates and confirmed he would be walking away after an illustrious career that spanned 302 games.

“It is hard to put into words what the Richmond Football Club means to me, I love this place so much,” Martin said.

“I will be forever grateful for the love and the support I have received from the people here.

“To my teammates, the brotherhood that we all share is what I value most, as well as the bond with the staff and coaches … thank you to all of you.

“To my family and friends, thank you for your unconditional love and support.

“To the Tiger Army, I have always felt loved and supported throughout my career, and for that, I will be forever grateful. The memories that we have created together will live with me forever.

“Thank you.”

Dusty has hung up the boots. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

After being drafted by the Tigers with the third overall pick in the 2009 draft, Martin quickly became an integral part of the club’s rise.

Martin will long be remembered as arguably the greatest big game player to ever grace the turf having won three Norm Smith medals in Richmond’s three Grand Final wins in 2017, 2019 and 2020.

His list of accolades also includes the Brownlow Medal, Leigh Matthews MVP Trophy, AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year Award, All Australian, Gary Ayers Medal and Richmond’s best and fairest.

Throughout his illustrious career, Martin found himself in the spotlight with 2024 no different than any other.

As rumours surrounding his future swirled, Martin was being linked with a move north to rejoin former coach Damien Hardwick at the Gold Coast Suns.

Fueling those rumours was Richmond’s fall down the ladder combined with Martin’s on field production falling well below his usual standards.

Martin battled injuries throughout the season as he was limited to only 13 games as the Tigers sank to last place.

With the club entering a rebuilding phase, Martin elected to hang up the boots,

What a career it was for Dusty. Pic: Michael Klein

Richmond CEO Brendan Gale was extremely thankful for the impact Martin had on the club and the joy he brought to footy fans.

“So much has been said about Dustin’s impact on our club and the competition, but more than anything, and put simply, I think it is the joy that he gave the Tiger Army and those around him that might mean the most,” Gale said.

“Three premierships and best on ground in each of them will always be his legend, and rightly, it, along with his unique aura, will be what he is best remembered for.

“But I think Dustin would be most proud of what he was able to achieve playing for a team … for our team — and the magnificent role he was able to play within that system, which let him be every bit the footballing genius that he was always destined to be.

“That genius was most evident when the stakes were at their highest, when the crowd was at its loudest, when all eyes were on him, and when the moments needed a hero.

“Dustin did it his way, and we are all just so lucky to have been Richmond people during his era of dominance.

“So, all I can say on behalf of everyone associated with our great club is thank you to an icon. To our icon.”

Dusty has hung up the boots. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

News of Martin’s retirement sent shockwaves throughout the football community as fans rushed to pass on their memories of the Tigers superstar.

Journalist Rohan Connolly wrote on X: “Dustin Martin the footballer has been an incredible combination of power, skills and smarts, a prolific ball-winner, deadly around goal & one of the best handful of big occasion players we’ve seen, as three Norm Smith Medals testify. We’ve been lucky to watch him. Thanks Dusty!”

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph wrote: “A finals freak. But don’t ever forget his extraordinary consistency from his debut season onwards. 10.2 in the three GFs but also six against Brisbane in a Gabba qualifying final & won the Port prelim at Adelaide Oval off his own boot. The complete career.”

Triple M Footy wrote: “One of the best to ever wear the yellow & black.”

Channel 7’s Nat Edwards wrote: “Grand Final GOAT.”

Martin’s final game in the yellow and black saw him collect 16 disposals as the Tigers went down to North Melbourne.

The club will close out the 2024 season with games against St Kilda, Hawthorn and the Gold Coast Suns.

Originally published as Dustin Martin announces retirement from the AFL