Richmond legend Dustin Martin has said farewell to adoring fans with a lap of honour after the Tigers’ 28-point loss to Gold Coast on Saturday.
While the disappointing loss consigned the club to the wooden spoon, the fans in attendance were treated to a rare interview from their favourite player.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dustin Martin bids farewell.
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Martin abruptly called time on his glittering career three weeks ago. The media-shy superstar never spoke publicly after the announcement, which made Saturday’s interview extra special.
Martin fought back tears when chatting to former teammate Jack Riewoldt as he expressed his love to the fans.
“Pretty emotional and it’s pretty surreal. It feels a little bit weird,” he said.
“I think after today it will really sink in. As everyone knows, I love the club, I love you all so much. I’m going to miss the place so much, just so grateful to be a Tiger.”
When asked what the favourite moment of his 302-game career was, Martin pointed to the “pretty bloody special” 2017 premiership.
Martin then gave one final message to the fans.
“As I said, I love you all so much, I’ve been so loved and supported. Thank you for everything,” he added.
Martin then disappeared down the race and could be seen wiping away tears after hugging former Richmond captain and now Gold Coast footy boss Wayne Campbell.
Former captain Dylan Grimes and Marlion Pickett also said farewell with the three premiership cups from 2017, 2019 and 2020 all on display.
It was a stark reminder that the club is seemingly a long way off challenging again.
The Tigers are set to undergo a brutal rebuild, with Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham likely to end up at new clubs next year.
On the field, Gold Coast spoiled the farewell party with a 28-point win.
Pickett, who famously debuted in Richmond’s 2019 grand final win, was given a huge cheer from the Tigers faithful when he came on in the third quarter after starting his final AFL game as the sub.
The loudest roar of the day came when Pickett snapped a goal in the final quarter.
Graham slotted the first goal of the game, with Bolton, Baker and Rioli, who is set to join Gold Coast next year, also hitting the scoreboard in their potential Richmond farewell.
Three years on from the last of their third premierships in four seasons, the Tigers will go to the draft with the No.1 pick for the first time since they selected Brett Deledio in 2004.
Richmond could have avoided finishing 18th if they beat the Suns after North Melbourne were annihilated by Hawthorn earlier on Saturday.
The Kangaroos’ 124-point smashing dropped their percentage to 63.5 per, with even a tight Tigers win allowing them to jump from last and hand North their third wooden spoon in four seasons.
But Gold Coast blew the game open with six goals to two in the second quarter to lead by 32 points at half-time.
The Tigers showed far more fight in the second half, taking the game on at all costs and getting the crowd involved, but were unable to reduce the margin to under three goals.
Suns forward Jack Lukosius kicked two goals as he weighs up a potential move back to his home state of South Australia during the off-season.
– With AAP