Dustin Martin breaks silence on rumours he could come OUT of retirement as Richmond legend gives two-word verdict on reunion with Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast

Dustin Martin has thrown cold water on claims he is set to retire and reunite with former Richmond boss Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast at the Tigers’ best and fairest awards on Tuesday night.

There were emotional scenes as 33-year-old Martin hung up his boots at the end of the 2024 season, kicking off a glittering 15-year career that saw him win three premierships with Richmond, three Norm Smith medals and the Brownlow medal of 2017.

However, in recent weeks speculation had arisen that the legendary midfielder could return to the AFL for a swan song, but not with the Tigers.

There were rumors that Martin would move north to join former coach Hardwick on the Gold Coast, after which the Suns released a statement saying Martin had spoken to the club.

“We can confirm that Dustin has had discussions with the club and we will both have further discussions to find out if it is a good fit for the Gold Coast Suns and Dustin,” Suns football boss Wayne Campbell said. The era in September.

Martin and Hardwick have a close relationship, with the Suns boss claiming the 33-year-old was the ‘best player he has coached’ after his retirement.

There had been speculation that he could link up with ex-Tigers coach Damien Hardwick

The pair played a crucial role in leading Richmond to their three-time premiership dynasty

Despite this, it appears the three-time flag winner will not be returning to the AFL.

At Richmond’s best and fairest awards at Crown Melbourne on Tuesday, Martin told 9News Melbourne when asked about retiring that he was “happy to retire”.

With the canceled free agency period set to take place in the first two weeks of November, Martin still has a month to change his mind about his current stance.

Earlier this year, Hardwick had also added fuel to rumors that Martin could move to the Suns.

“Dustin is a contract player at Richmond. That’s obviously for Dustin to decide and for Richmond to work through it,” he said at a press conference in March.

‘He’s a really good player, there’s no doubt about that, and any club would be crazy not to make a judgment there at some point.

But Martin has now claimed he is ‘happily retired’ amid reports he could return to professional football.

Hardwick (right) had also admitted last year that the Suns could be interested in signing Martin

Martin has until the canceled free agency period in November to weigh a sensational return to the AFL

‘Just like seventeen other clubs, we are always looking for good players.

“Gold Coast is no different. These list management discussions will take place at the end of this year.’

But long-time friend, teammate and mentor, Trent Cotchin, gave his verdict on the chances of Martin retiring.

“I think there’s a zero to one percent chance he’ll don a Suns Guernsey or any other guernsey,” Cotchin said.

“But when you say that, you can understand why songs like Gold Coast and ‘Dimma’ [Hardwick] tease the idea that this might actually be the case.

‘I don’t know why, and maybe you have different opinions about whether it helps their football club, but they are not in the final, they are in the newspaper every day and it increases the profile of their football club. ‘