Dustin Martin and the wife of disgraced footy player Brett Finch were an item years before they were dogged by rumors that they had rekindled their romance.
Daily Mail Australia has obtained photos of the AFL superstar and Eli Johnston on a romantic holiday in Bali in 2014.
The pair reportedly dated for nine months before Johnston married 41-year-old Finch in 2018.
A well-placed source has told Daily Mail Australia that Johnston was madly in love with Martin when he made the decision to choose his career over their relationship.
“Elli was devastated when they broke up. They have now both moved on,” the source said.
Dustin Martin (right) broke Elli Johnston’s heart. They had shared a romantic getaway in Bali in 2014 (pictured). But sources say the relationship is a thing of the past and has not been rekindled despite rumors.
Dustin Martin and Elli Johnston while vacationing together in Bali. Martin’s decision to choose his career over Johnston sent her into Finch’s arms
Wife of disgraced former footy star Brett Finch (right) dated Martin in 2014
The source shot down reports first aired in the Herald-Sun that Johnston had split from Finch and started a relationship with Martin — instead describing it as a past relationship.
“They (Finch and Johnston) work through things. No decision has been made yet. Elli’s only concern is her daughter,” the source said.
Of Johnston’s current relationship with Martin, they said: ‘They are friends and wish each other only the very best. Elli’s only concern is her daughter.’
Johnston, herself the daughter of Australian Football Hall of Famer and Carlton AFL great Wayne Johnston, had bounced back from her relationship with Martin into Finch’s arms.
“Dustin dropped Elli to focus on football and then she met Brett,” the source said. “Dustin and Elli previously went on a romantic vacation to Bali together.”
Photos from that trip remain publicly posted on the Instagram page of a friend of the couple at the time, who joined the couple in Bali.
Images show a much younger Martin relaxing with Johnston poolside, enjoying drinks and partying with friends.
“I look crooked,” Martin commented under an image.
Dustin Martin and Elli Johnston smile for a photo together in Bali in 2014
Martin commented that he looked “crook” in the photo above
Dustin Martin (second from left) and Elli Johnston (left) party in Bali with friends
In December — a month after Finch narrowly avoided jail time for sending “depraved” voice messages about sex to young boys on a gay chat service in an attempt to score drugs because he had a crippling cocaine addiction — Johnston said their family needed time to heal.
Martin, 31, did not confirm or deny the rumor at the request of the Herald Sun. He has previously been linked to a number of models, including Jessica Gomes, Chontelle Berryman, and Elissa Burns.
Finch, who played 270 NRL matches in a 14-year career, is reportedly now living off Centrelink payments after being knocked back on an estimated 300 job applications.
It is clear that he rarely leaves his home in southern Sydney.
Reports had claimed that Martin was dating Elli Johnston, but a source has now clarified that they are just friends who wish each other well. Above, Finch and Johnston
The former halfback was arrested in December 2021 and charged with using a carriage service to publicize or promote child abuse after officers intercepted his conversations in a web chat room called FastMeet.
Finch was ensnared in a wider investigation conducted under the banner of Strike Force Hank by officers from the NSW Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad.
Judge Phillip Mahony sentenced Finch to a two-year, $1,000 good conduct bond in Sydney’s Downing Center District Court on November 23.
Finch was under the influence of drugs when he left a series of “twisted” messages on a gay chat line describing a desire to perform sexual acts on boys as young as 12.
In court, Finch admitted that he was disgusted with himself for making the calls and said his only intention had been to obtain cocaine as his drug problem was “growing out of control.”
He believed the messages would put him in touch with people who could supply him with cocaine.
Judge Mahony described Finch’s actions as “deeply depraved” and “absurd,” but accepted that it had more to do with his chronic cocaine addiction than any genuine sexual interest in children.
He said Finch had no criminal record, helped with youth football coaching and charity work, and had little chance of recidivism.
“I accept that he is genuinely sorry for his abusive behavior,” said Judge Mahony, noting that the ex-footballer acted alone while on a drug binge.