AFL great Ben Cousins has led the tributes for Dustin Martin after the Richmond legend announced his immediate retirement on Tuesday.
Martin officially called time on his storied career, with Saturday’s defeat to North Melbourne becoming his 302nd and final game.
While his final year was plagued by injuries and remarkably ended without a victory, there is no question about his standing in the game.
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The 33-year-old won just about every individual award on offer, but what separates him from other greats of the game is the three Norm Smith Medals.
Cousins and Martin spent one season together at Richmond and the two quickly became friends on and off the field.
“A chance for the industry to celebrate one of the all-time greats of the modern era,” Cousins told 7NEWS.
“Three Norm Smith Medals is the stuff of fairytales.
“I love the fact he saved the very best for the big occasions. What a career.
“Everyone wants to play well in the big games, but so few do and the fact that he did it on so many occasions, it is the stuff of legends.”
Cousins also respected Martin for doing things his way, even if that meant rarely speaking to the media.
“We’re all built differently aren’t we and I really respect him for the way he has stayed true to himself. He has done it his way, it’s added a little mystique to the legend … you tip the hat to him.”
Richmond great Matthew Richardson hailed Martin for bringing the entire club together.
“When people ask me about Dusty, it’s just going to be about that connection with friends and with Richmond people. He brought everyone together after that long premiership drought. He just brought so much joy for the Tiger Army,” he told 7NEWS.
“He’s the greatest Richmond player I’ve ever seen.”
The AFL world quickly came together in praise for the modern-day great.
“What he’s done on the field and what he was able to do with his club over a long period of time was profound,” Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley said on SEN.
“He’s played the sixth most games ever for Richmond and he’s kicked the 11th most goals ever for Richmond. He’s done everything there is to do in the game and he can rest easy — he emptied himself out and contributed everything he had to give.”
Martin’s high-profile manager Ralph Carr — better known for his work with entertainers rather than sports stars — took to social media after the news, calling Martin the “people’s champion”.
“’The peoples champion’ to me exemplifies loyalty and excellence in AFL. His dedication to the RFC and fans was and is unquestionable … Love you my friend, RC,” Carr said in a heartfelt statement.
Martin wasn’t the only future AFL Hall of Famer to announce their retirement, with Geelong games-record holder Tom Hawkins confirming this season will be his last.
Hawkins, who hopes to return from injury and help the Cats’ finals push, paid tribute to Martin.
“I’d sort of had the wheels in motion (for retirement) on the day for a bit,” Hawkins, fronting his farewell media conference, said.
“But it feels somewhat, not embarrassed, but maybe it’s a pleasure to share it with him because you talk about champions of the game and he is absolutely one of those.
“He’s had an incredible career.
“Congratulations to Dusty and his family for what he’s been able to achieve … I was gonna say it’s been fun to watch but, phew, it hasn’t been fun to watch at times.”
Outgoing Tigers chief executive Brendon Gale also paid tribute to the three-time premiership star.
“So much has been said about Dustin’s impact on our club and the competition, but more than anything, and put simply, I think it is the joy that he gave the Tiger Army and those around him that might mean the most,” Gale said.
“Three premierships and best on ground in each of them will always be his legend, and rightly, it, along with his unique aura, will be what he is best remembered for.
“But I think Dustin would be most proud of what he was able to achieve playing for a team… for our team — and the magnificent role he was able to play within that system, which let him be every bit the footballing genius that he was always destined to be.
“That genius was most evident when the stakes were at their highest, when the crowd was at its loudest, when all eyes were on him, and when the moments needed a hero.
“Dustin did it his way, and we are all just so lucky to have been Richmond people during his era of dominance. So, all I can say on behalf of everyone associated with our great club is thank you to an icon. To our icon.”
As evidence of Martin’s popularity, even fierce Richmond rival, Carlton, paid tribute to Martin.
“No team played against Richmond’s No.4 than the Navy Blues,” the Blues said.
“We knew what was coming every year in Round 1, but there were still times where he was too much to stop. Nothing but ultimate respect for an unbelievable opponent. All the best, Dusty.”
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon congratulated Martin his incredible career.
“As a quiet champion, he preferred to let his actions on the field speak for him, and his actions shout that he has been one of the greatest to have ever played our game,” he said of Martin.
Dustin Martin’s incredible career
Born: 26 June 1991
Junior club: Castlemaine/Bendigo U18
AFL draft: Richmond at No.3 at the 2009 national draft
AFL debut: Round 1, 2010 v Carlton at the MCG
AFL games: 302 (163-4-135)
AFL goals: 338
Career averages: 24.2 disposals, 9.8 contested possessions, 1.1 goals, 4.7 inside 50s, 3.8 clearances
Brownlow Medal winner 2017 (36 votes, equal highest ever)
Brownlow votes as at end of 2023 season: 212, eighth all-time
Honours: Three-time premiership player (2017, 2019, 2020), three-time Norm Smith Medallist (2017, 2019, 2020), 2017 AFL Players Association MVP (Leigh Matthews Trophy), 2017 AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year, three-time Gary Ayres Award winner as best player in finals (2017, 2019, 2020), four-time All-Australian (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020), two-time Richmond best and fairest winner (2016, 2017), AFL Rising Star nominee (2010)