Dustin Martin at centre of AFL trade bombshell amid comments from Suns coach Damien Hardwick
An AFL great declared this week that Martin was '100 per cent' leaving Richmond.
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has poured more fuel on the fire of reports that Dustin Martin will be a Suns player in 2025 after declaring the AFL club would be "crazy" not to explore the possibility. Martin's future has been the subject of intense speculation throughout the season, but it ramped up this week when former Melbourne Demons star David Schwarz said Dusty was “100 per cent” going to be on the Gold Coast in 2025.
The move would see Martin reunite with his former coach Hardwick at the Suns, with the pair winning three premierships together in four years at Richmond. Martin was one of the most dominant stars in the game when Hardwick was at the helm in Richmond, but the 33-year-old's form and fitness has come under scrutiny in 2024 and he remains off contract for next season.
Dusty has yet to give any concrete indication about his playing future beyond this year, with critics even speculating earlier in the season that he could be contemplating retirement. Martin is unlikely to command anywhere near the eye-watering $1.35 million salary he's been on at Richmond if he does decide to leave. But Hardwick says Dusty is still a quality player with a lot to offer and like most other clubs, the Suns would be silly not to weigh up a potential move for him.
“Dustin’s a contracted player at Richmond. That’s obviously for Dustin to decide and Richmond to work their way through,” Hardwick said. “He’s a really, really good player, there’s no doubt about that, and every single club would be crazy if they didn’t sit there and at some stage make an assessment.
“Like 17 other clubs, we’re always looking for good players. Gold Coast is no different. Those list management calls will get made at the back-end of the year.” Martin was subbed out of the Tigers' defeat to Carlton with a back issue and is unlikely to play against Fremantle in Perth on Saturday.
Debate to continues to swirl on Dustin Martin's AFL future
Richmond coach Adem Yze has already indicated that Martin is one of a number of older players at the club that would have their playing time managed until the end of the season. And AFL legend Leigh Matthews told Wide World of Sports that the Gold Coast's reported interest in the superstar comes as a shock to him, considering Dusty's age, recent injury record and dwindling influence on games.
“It surprises me a little that Gold Coast would be investing in Dustin Martin at this point,” Matthews said. “Another year under his belt, it’s more about where Dustin Martin will be as a player to help the Suns.” Schwarz says if Martin does make move to the Gold Coast as he expects, the Suns could look to use the veteran almost exclusively in their home games and save him from extensive travelling. And he thinks it would be a win-win for both player and club.
“I reckon you’ll find that he’ll play the majority of home games and travelling might not be a big option for him,” Schwarz said. “He brings a bit of star factor, they want people through the gates, which is really important. Anybody who has played with Dustin Martin knows that he is a great leader about what he does on the training track, and what he does on the field.
“He’s not a big talker, but when he does talk, he commands enormous respect. For a young group, there’s only benefits that he brings. He’s got his outside life under control. He’s mature and his example is exactly what the Gold Coast need...
"He brings marketing dollars, he’s got a great relationship with the coach. He knows that (game) system. He’s goes up there in a playing and coaching role behind the scenes. It’s a win-win. Richmond will get a nice pick for him, he gets another opportunity.
