Latest news with #DustinMartin
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Richmond coach Adem Yze ramps up pitch to secure Dustin Martin as specialist coach
The doors at Punt Rd are 'always open' for a Dusty homecoming. AFL great Dustin Martin has made a quiet exit from the spotlight since his retirement but roared back into conversations when he was recently spotted in the changerooms. Richmond coach Adem Yze has since said he would love to have Martin alongside him at training and ramped up his pitch on Wednesday. Yze said he saw a glimpse of Martin's unmatched knowledge last year as he taught his then teammates things few coaches could. 'I did have our coaches' T-shirt for him when he walked in a few weeks ago,' Yze said with a laugh. 'He's an amazing Richmond man but not only that he's such a smart player. 'He would hate being here presenting, but out there the things he could teach our younger forwards would be things we can't coach. 'The door is always open for him, depending what he wants to do with his future, come and mentor, be a skills coach, he would be more than welcome. 'If he does decide to go down that path we would love for him to have our colours on – I know if he does he would have such a good impact on a lot of young players.' Yze said Martin wouldn't enjoy the attached extras to coaching such as presenting in big meetings or to the media. But he was confident Martin had a passion to teach and saw it in his reluctance to leave the club in that recent visit. 'The impact he could have on a lot of our younger boys, I know Sammy Lalor when he met him a couple of weeks ago was starstruck,' Yze said. 'I am so clear on the impact he could have with our players, there's no better player to teach goalkicking, snapping and just execution with the footy – we'd love to have him. 'During his playing days he didn't like this (meeting) room especially, he didn't like that pressure, but in a line meeting he was so good, let alone one-on-one. 'His impact he had all throughout his career was high-level coaching in different environments, I think he'd be very good at it. 'The good thing about it, that day he didn't want to go home – he still loves the place and feels a part of the place. 'He's a great Richmond man, a lot of our first-year players were in awe of him and we still are – he was an amazing player and is an amazing person.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Delicate conversation': New revelation about Dustin Martin's return to Richmond
The Richmond Tigers are reportedly keen on bringing club legend Dustin Martin back into the fold in a mentoring role with the AFL legend stepping away from all duties in 2025. Martin stunned fans in 2024 having called time on his AFL career with three games left in the Tigers' season. Fans were able to send Martin off with a special tribute after the final game of the season at the MCG. While there were talks Martin could join the Suns in 2025, nothing came of the move with the Tigers legend enjoying retirement. Martin was also linked to the Fox Sports commentary team for 2025, but has again stepped back from all duties. However, veteran AFL reporter Caroline Wilson has suggested Richmond are very keen on bringing the legend back into the fold in a mentoring capacity. Richmond sit in 16th on the AFL ladder with just three wins in 11 games. The Tigers have looked uninspired so far in 2025 as their young squad gets to grips with the rigours of AFL footy. Martin was seen in the Tigers dressing room two weeks ago having celebrated a milestone with one of his old teammates. And Wilson revealed the club is very interested in brining the legend back into the fold. However, Wilson claimed it was a 'delicate conversation' for the club to undertake with the AFL icon and his manager Ralph Carr. "Richmond is hoping to bring Dustin back into the camp in some official Richmond want, and let's face it their skills need a bit of work, is they would love Dustin there as a mentor to this brilliant group of young players," Wilson said on Channel 7. Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes didn't think Martin would take a skills coach role having stepped back from footy. "Is Dustin Martin up for this? He didn't strike me as a coach that would be invested in doing this," Cornes said of Martin being a skills coach. But he did agree Martin would be very useful as a mentor around the club with so many Tigers players needing guidance. Richmond sit 10th in the league for disposal efficiency and 17th for handball efficiency. Against Essendon last week, the Tigers had 17 unforced turnovers. "They would love Dustin there as a mentor to this brilliant group of young players."Caroline Wilson on Richmond wanting Dustin Martin involved as a coach 👇 — 7AFL (@7AFL) May 26, 2025 RELATED: Calls for Kane Cornes to be sanctioned over Luke Beveridge incident AFL world gutted over heartbreaking news about West Coast hero Despite some poor results, Wilson was referring to Richmond's recent haul at the drafts. And the likes of Kane McAuliffe and Kaleb Smith have stood up in recent weeks. Both were impressive in last week's loss to Essendon and would thrive under the guidance of club icon Martin. The Tigers season has gone from bad to worse in recent weeks with their No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor set to miss six weeks of action with a hamstring injury. Lalor was carrying the injury before he was drafted, but scans showed he had re-injured his hamstring against Essendon last Friday. Last year, Martin raised eyebrows when a 'secret' meeting was captured between the former player and some high-level executives. Martin met with Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley, Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany and Fox Sports expert Jack Riewoldt with many speculating the Richmond legend was set to make a move to the commentary box. At the time, Crawley said they would keep 'chipping away' at Martin with a relationship starting to build. But ahead of the current season, Martin was not included in the Fox Sports line-up and is enjoying his time away from the game. Martin's potential move into commentary is a slight surprise with the 33-year-old often a reserved character during his playing days. The Richmond great shied away from interviews throughout his illustrious career and was not one to steal the limelight.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Dustin Martin 'will make a big-name return' to footy after his surprise appearance at Richmond match
AFL legend Dustin Martin is reportedly expected to make a shock return to footy following his recent appearance in the MCG sheds before a Richmond game. Martin, 33, retired last season following a career few can match. The midfielder's CV makes for staggering reading - premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020 with the Tigers, three Norm Smith medals from the Grand Finals as well as a Brownlow Medal in 2017. 'Dusty' has kept a low profile since hanging up his boots - but footy identities Kane Cornes and Caroline Wilson are both convinced that will soon change. 'Don't rule out a Dustin Martin footy return sometime in the future,' Cornes said to Wilson on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters. 'That is a very accurate statement by you, Kane,' Wilson responded. Footy identities Caroline Wilson and Kane Cornes (both pictured, from left) are both convinced Martin will return to the AFL in some capacity this season 'Dustin Martin was in the Richmond rooms before the (recent) North (Melbourne) game. He looked pretty good, saying 'g'day' to his old teammates. 'I'm not saying AFL return, but there will be a big-name return later this year.' Cornes added: 'Watch this space.' While he was unable to inspire the Tigers to a win against the Kangaroos, the sight of Martin in the sheds warmed the hearts of many footy fans. The famously reclusive Martin shook hands with former teammate Tom Lynch - and last month he was spotted in Western Australia, stepping out for lunch with fellow Richmond great Jack Riewoldt. Martin made his AFL debut for the Tigers in 2010 - and retired a generational talent. In 302 appearances, Martin booted 338 goals. He will go down in history as possibly Richmond's greatest ever player, alongside the likes of Kevin Bartlett, Jack Dyer and Francis Bourke. Martin was linked to the Gold Coast Suns at the twilight of his career to play under former coach Damien Hardwick, but the move never materialised.
7NEWS
20-05-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Richmond legend Dustin Martin tipped to make ‘big-name return' later this year
Richmond legend Dustin Martin is being tipped to return to footy later this year. Martin was spotted in the Tigers' rooms ahead of the clash against North Melbourne on Sunday in a rare appearance around his old club. The three-time premiership great called time on his 302-game career late last season before he was constantly linked to continuing his career at Gold Coast. That ultimately never eventuated, and he drifted out of the public eye. But Channel 7's Caroline Wilson is expecting the triple Norm Smith medallist to return in some form later this year, although it's unlikely to be an AFL return. 'Don't rule out a Dustin Martin footy return sometime in the future,' Kane Cornes said to Wilson on The Agenda Setters. 'That is a very accurate statement by you, Kane,' Wilson replied. 'Dustin Martin was in the Richmond rooms before the North game. He looked pretty good, saying 'g'day' to his old teammates. 'I'm not saying AFL return, but there will be a big-name return later this year.' Cornes added: 'Watch this space.' Martin's AFL career will go down as one of the greatest ever. As well as playing 302 games for the Tigers, he won nearly everything there is to win in footy, including three premierships, three Norm Smith Medals and a Brownlow Medal. He endured an injury-plagued end to his career at Richmond. After an emotional 300th game against Hawthorn, Martin was subbed out in his next match against Carlton. He missed a month of football before returning for one final game against North Melbourne in Round 21. The Tigers lost that match and then two days later, Martin announced his immediate retirement. He returned to the MCG for the Tigers' final match of the season to officially bid farewell to fans. The media-shy superstar never spoke publicly after his retirement announcement, but 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.' 'As I said, I love you all so much, I've been so loved and supported. Thank you for everything,' he added.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy great Dustin Martin makes surprise appearance following his retirment
Footy great Dustin Martin was unable to spur his former side Richmond on to victory on Sunday as he made a shock return to the MCG to cheer on his old team-mates. The Tigers continued their indifferent start to the 2025 campaign with a four-point loss by North Melbourne. But ahead of the match, the two-time Brownlow Medallist who retired last year was seen walking through the changing rooms at the MCG on Sunday and shook hands with goal kicker Tom Lynch ahead of the match. Martin, 33, has been sparingly seen since the football great announced he'd be retiring from the club at the end of the 2024 season. Last month, Martin made a surprise appearance in Western Australia, stepping out for lunch with his old team-mate Jack Riewoldt. It also came as former North Melbourne great Ben Cunnington was also pictured at the game meeting with several of the Kangaroos players. Dusty is in the building 👀 Watch the Sunday Footy Feast 👉 — 7AFL (@7AFL) May 18, 2025 Earlier this year, Cunnington, who had twice battled through cancer at the end of his career, revealed he had been diagnosed with multiple blood clots. He had spent time in a Victoria hospital earlier this year to treat the issue. North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson hailed Cam Zurhaar's mental strength after the tough forward overcame a nasty foot injury to steer his side to a tense four-point win over Richmond. Zurhaar was the most prolific forward on the ground, with four goals, as the Kangaroos hung on for a heart-stopping 12.6 (78) to 11.8 (74) triumph at the MCG on Sunday. Tom Lynch cut the margin to six points with his second goal late in the final quarter and the Tigers had two further shots in time-on, but Kane McAuliffe and Tim Taranto fired wide. Kangaroos defender Toby Pink capped a strong display when he took a goal-saving mark opposed to Lynch in the final minute to help seal the result. Zurhaar was dubbed 'Big Foot' by teammates in the days prior to the match after his non-preferred left foot swelled because of an injury. 'He was really important for us, particularly early,' Clarkson said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by North Melbourne FC (@nmfcofficial) 'In a low-scoring game, to kick four goals is pretty influential to the final outcome. 'I'm really pleased with his contribution and it's a really good example for all our players that sometimes you've got to play under a little bit of duress. 'He just managed his mind really strongly and made a contribution for the team that was pretty important for us.' After close losses to Port Adelaide and Essendon, then a draw with top side Brisbane, North (2-7-1) finally franked their improved form with a win. It was their first at the MCG since 2017, following a barren run of nine straight defeats. But it wasn't a pretty contest between two of the bottom three sides on the ladder, littered with a season-high 137 stoppages despite being played in perfect conditions. 'It felt like going to the dentist,' Clarkson said, 'but the endeavour was there. 'Both sides had over 90 tackles on a day where you'd expect the ball to be out in the open and moving pretty swiftly. 'The game was a pretty scrappy affair but with where we're at at the moment, wins are important for us.' Tristan Xerri won a titanic tussle with Toby Nankervis, tallying 19 disposals and 52 hit-outs to help North Melbourne to a 54-33 win at clearances. Luke Davies-Uniacke (27 disposals), Colby McKercher (22) and Jy Simpkin (20) were also important contributors, with Nick Larkey and Jack Darling kicking two goals each. Taranto (30 touches, 10 clearances) worked tirelessly for Richmond and Seth Campbell kicked three goals. Lynch and Sam Lalor kicked two each, and Hugo Ralpsmith slotted a goal-of-the-year contender from a tight angle. Kamdyn McIntosh kicked go-ahead goals for the Tigers at the start of both the third and fourth quarters, after they had trailed by 24 points early in a see-sawing contest. But there was no fairytale finish for dual premiership hero McIntosh in his 200th game. Richmond coach Adem Yze lamented his side's slow start but was pleased with the way they fought back into the contest. The Tigers could have had another late chance to win the game but Davies-Uniacke was not penalised when he handpassed the ball over the boundary line under pressure from Taranto inside the final 90 seconds. 'You do get frustrated with that sort of stuff because if it was earlier in the game they might've paid it,' Yze said. 'It is what it is and (that rule) is a hard one to umpire at the best of times, but we gave ourselves a chance to win it. 'We had a few shots in that last quarter and in a tight-game situation, that's all you can do - get the opportunity to win the game. 'I know those boys that missed those opportunities will be feeling that but the method's right. We got those chances and we'll take it next week.'
