Footy bad boy Dane Swan drops a huge hint about Dustin Martin’s future in the AFL as he invites the Tigers superstar to his wild 40th birthday party in Las Vegas

Party boy and former AFL great Dane Swan may have dropped a serious spoiler about the future of Richmond star Dustin Martin, who is heavily linked to the Gold Coast Suns.

Martin has enjoyed a stellar career at Punt Road, winning three premierships with the Tigers, but has for years been linked with a departure from Melbourne amid speculation he wants to escape the media bubble.

With former coach Damien Hardwick confirmed to coach the Suns for the next six seasons, the rumor mill is swirling that Martin could be reunited with his old Richmond mentor.

Hardwick famously quit the Tigers mid-season this year, as burnout was a factor in his shocking decision.

However, the fire burns brighter than ever for the man who lifted Richmond off the bottom of the ladder and transformed them into a premiership force.

Swan (right) and Martin (second from right) have shared many photos of their wild parties around the world on social media

Martin and Swan are good friends and have been spotted partying loudly in glamorous locations around the world.

Now Swan is planning an unforgettable party in Vegas for his 40th birthday.

“I’m in Mexico with family and friends and then the guy friends go to Vegas the following week,” Swan said News Corp.

“I couldn’t have asked everyone to pay to go to the Super Bowl, so it’s the week after. I’ve told all my Premiership teammates to come over if they want to.’

Which begs the question, would his old drinking buddy Martin join the festivities?

That’s where the spoiler about Martin’s future was dropped by the former Collingwood star.

“He’s been invited, depends if the new coach gives him two weeks off,” Swan said.

“He has a better chance if he is coached by Dimma (Damien Hardwick) and that could very well be.”

Swan hopes Martin’s coach gives him two weeks off to attend and hopes that coach is Damien Hardwick

A final decision has not yet been made on where Martin will play in 2023, although he has been strongly linked with a reunion with Hardwick at the Suns.

Meanwhile, Hardwick is optimistic about coaching a fourth AFL premiership, saying Gold Coast has 80 percent of the players they need to challenge for their first flag.

Hardwick brushed aside speculation that one of those players could be Richmond star Dustin Martin, noting that the player remains under contract with the Tigers.

As expected, Richmond’s three-time premiership coach will take over at the Suns. He has been given a six-year contract.

It has been three months since Hardwick abruptly left the Tigers mid-season, saying he had done everything he could at the club, and six weeks after the Suns brutally sacked coach Stuart Dew.

The expansion club has yet to make the finals after 13 years in the AFL, but Hardwick exuded confidence at Monday’s media conference.

“I’m very, very, very excited — I compare it to waking up on Christmas Day and walking into a brand new set of toys,” he said.

“Eighty percent of our first Premier League squad is now in this room… this squad and this club are very capable of saluting in the not-too-distant future.”

Hardwick will take over from interim coach Steven King after the Suns’ season ends next weekend.

King and much of Gold Coast’s existing football department will remain with the club.

The Suns’ new coach predicted an attacking style similar to what has taken Collingwood to the top of the table in 2023.

“You have to align a game plan with what you have here, and a lot of the tools I’m looking for are currently in this building,” he said.

“We are bringing a style of play similar to what you see Collingwood, GWS and Richmond playing.

“Right now I think I have all the people I need in the building and I don’t really need to bring anyone else.”

Hardwick said he hadn’t spoken to Dew. The pair were teammates in the 2004 premiership at Port Adelaide and also worked together at Hawthorn.

“It’s very cut-throat, that’s the reality of the situation,” Hardwick said.

“My time will come… this is the nature of the business we are in.

“No excuses for that, you have to pass.”

Gold Coast chairman Bob East said the club was delighted to secure Hardwick, who had coached the Tigers from 2009.

“We have been unequivocal in our desire to see success for our football club,” East said in a statement.

“This appointment is clearly an important step in that direction.

“As we began the process of selecting our senior coach, it quickly became clear that Damien was the best candidate available.

“We have high expectations for our club and firmly believe that Damien can live up to them… to achieve success in the premiership.”

In early August, East and Suns CEO Mark Evans flew to Italy, where Hardwick was on vacation, to complete the hiring process.

Hardwick were at the MCG on Saturday as Richmond greats Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt played their final games in a 29-point win over North Melbourne.