- Martin’s manager makes cryptic comments on social media
- Footy bigwigs have urged the Tigers champions to quit
- The 32-year-old star is struggling for form in 2024
Dustin Martin’s manager Ralph Carr has released an unusual statement on social media as speculation continues to grow over the Richmond champion’s future in the sport.
Martin, 32, remains one of the AFL’s biggest names, having won the Norm Smith Medal in Richmond’s three premiership wins of 2017, 2019 and 2020.
The midfielder also won the Brownlow Medal in 2017 and played 296 games.
But Martin’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent months as he has struggled with injuries and some experts, such as Kane Cornes, believe he should hang up his boots.
“I just think it’s time because he has nothing left to accomplish,” Cornes said.
Speculation surrounding Tigers champion Dustin Martin’s (pictured) departure from the game continues to grow as he struggles to play like his old self this year
Martin’s manager Ralph Carr (pictured with the great Tigers) posted an unusual message on social media on Wednesday saying his client ‘will always be the people’s champion’
‘And given the club’s position they are about to go through a brutal phase, I would have thought.
“Does Dustin Martin want to experience that and does he have any questions about his form, like is he going to be like Buddy Franklin had when he probably played another year? [than he maybe should have]? Just as Scott Pendlebury is now facing to a lesser extent.
‘He’s about to turn 33. Does he want to experience this in Richmond?’
On Wednesday, Martin’s old manager posted an unusual message on X about his client.
“Will always be the people’s champion,” he wrote alongside a photo of Martin.
“Three flags, three Norm Smiths, one Brownlow, All-Australian, MVP, can’t be wrong.”
Martin’s future was discussed on Channel 9’s Footy Classified this week, with Cornes questioning Richmond coach Adam Yze’s comments that he wants to extend Martin’s contract, which expires at the end of this season.
“Footy clubs are not a charity,” Cornes began.
Martin has struggled with form in 2024 and some football greats believe he should retire soon
The Tigers currently sit 17th on the AFL ladder with just one win this season
“(Yze) has been pretty adamant, he’s said a few times that one of the jobs he wants to check off is extending Dustin Martin’s contract.
“Is that the right decision?”
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd was the first to answer, wondering how much money Martin could make by playing until 2025.
“Adem Yze needs to be stronger than ever before about what is best for Richmond,” he said.
“And I’m not sure spending $750,000 on Dustin Martin is the best thing for Richmond.”
AFL journalist Caroline Wilson jumped in at the mention of this figure.
“There’s no way they would spend that money on Dustin Martin,” she said.
‘$500 (thousand) absolute top. At the moment he is limping towards 300 (games). He wouldn’t get more than that, I’m sure, if he plays the way he’s playing now.
“He’s limping towards 300 and the way he’s playing now, you probably wouldn’t offer him a new deal.”