Dustin Martin [merged]

[one-eyed]

“Closer than what people think”: Schwarz reacts after deadline passes for Martin to join Suns

By Lachlan Geleit
SEN
15 Nov 2024

David Schwarz has been forced to backtrack from his stance that Dustin Martin was a certainty to play for Gold Coast in 2025.

The final deadline for the retired champion to join the Suns passed on Wednesday as he missed the deadline to nominate for the draft. As he didn’t put his name up for the draft, Martin is no longer eligible to join another club via the rookie draft, SSP period or mid-season rookie draft.

While his AFL career is now officially over after 302 games and three premierships with Richmond, Schwarz believes that the three-time Norm Smith Medallist was still incredibly close to joining Gold Coast to again play under Damien Hardwick.

“I firmly believed that Dusty was going to go there. But clearly, he's not going there now. So, I have to backtrack on that, but that was close,” Schwarz told SEN The Captain’s Run.

“I can promise it was closer than what people think.

“Can you imagine unveiling that beautiful jumper and having Dusty there beside Mac Andrew? How much more of an impact it would have had?

“Not because Dusty's was going to kick you 60 goals and win you 12 matches, but just the star factor, interest and the intrigue of Dusty going there.

“I think the Gold Coast tried everything in their power to get him there and he was so close, and he decided to go the other way.

“That's up to him, and now we get to listen to him on Fox, so that'll be interesting.”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/11/14/closer-than-what-people-think-schwarz-reacts-after-deadline-passes-for

[WilliamPowell]

Poor form by Ox

Just admit you got it very wrong

Don't hide behind "it was very close". Your contact at GC might have thought it was a done deal but it clearly wasn't 

[TigerLand]

Loser is Ox

[one-eyed]

The nine biggest AFL stories of 2024

Zero Hanger
December 22, 2024

2024 is almost over, with the year - from an AFL lens - packed with drama, excitement and controversy.

Reflecting on the year that was, we've listed our biggest moments and stories from the past 12 months that combined to make 2024 a memorable one for the AFL.

From in-game drama to off-field headlines, these are the nine biggest AFL stories of the year...

5. Dusty's decision still met with speculation

As soon as three-time premiership coach Damien Hardwick landed the head job at Gold Coast, you could almost predict the narrative coming from up north.

Dustin Martin has achieved all that you can in our great game: Premierships (x3), a Brownlow (2017) Medal, a Norm Smith Medal (x3), MVP honours (2017), All-Australian selections (x4), best and fairests (x2) and longevity (302 games).

Since Richmond's triumphant dynasty, Martin hadn't put together a full season, missing 32 games across the past four campaigns.

Injuries had caught up to the Tigers superstar as father time started to wane on Martin, putting his future up for debate: Will he stay at Richmond, retire or head north to the Suns?

As he did throughout his entire career, Martin remained an enigma, allowing the public world to fall into chaos about what was going on inside his mind.

Throughout the entirety of 2024, fans were blessed with consistent and persistent updates of the comings and goings of the three-time Norm Smith's medallist's future.

The narrative continued to build in Martin's silence while Hardwick's coy ploy of suggesting "every single club would be crazy if they didn't" go after him added fuel to the fire.

In August, Martin announced his retirement from the game after struggling to return from his back injury.

But that didn't stop the media speculation, with a door still slightly ajar for a reunion with Hardwick on the Gold Coast.

Stalked like a hawk, Martin's only response to the obsessive conjecture that lasted the entire 12 months came in October, saying: "Happily retired, brother."

However, a line through the 33-year-old's future could not be put through until the completion of the draft periods.

Martin, if he were nominated for the drafts, would still be eligible to play in 2025, but by 3:00pm on November 13, his name wasn't seen, therefore wiping it from the possibility of playing AFL next year.

The year-long tirade went late into 2024, something a superstar would warrant.

https://www.zerohanger.com/the-nine-biggest-afl-stories-of-2024-157585/5/

[one-eyed]

Left in his Dust: Why Dustin Martin is history's best big-game player

The pressure. The build-up. The excitement. The nerves. The expectation. The possibilities. The hope. The fear. Every player dreams of playing in a Grand Final. But few have the temerity to overcome the gamut of emotions that go into the day, shoulder such significant burdens, and drag their team to the game's ultimate prize.

Thousands have played football at the highest level. Very few have become premiership players, though. Even fewer have won Norm Smiths. To be the best player in football's biggest contest is an honour reserved for only the game's very elite. Simply winning one is an achievement that any ex-footballer can dine out on for a lifetime.

For a long time, to win two put you into rarefied air. After all, only three have ever done it.

To win three, though. Well, that should be impossible. But just ask any Richmond fan; Dustin Martin has spent the best part of the last decade turning what had once seemed the unbelievable into reality.



https://www.afl.com.au/news/1263972/best-long-reads-of-2024-dusty-pendles-feral-cats-boots-and-all

[TigerLand]

We knew what we had, we knew we'd miss him and we knew we wished we could have frozen in time.

I was too young for KB. Richo was the king growing up. I wonder what fans who had KB as their hero thought of Dusty and whether we will ever see anyone as good as him in a Richmond jumper again.

What a pleasure it was. Time to chuck in a 2017 finals DVD

[one-eyed]

It seems Tigers great Dustin Martin may be one step closer to joining the Fox Footy line-up, with one popular commentator hinting about teaming up with his old buddy.


https://x.com/theheraldsun/status/1891740689651859475

[one-eyed]

Speaking at the Fox Footy season launch in South Yarra, Riewoldt - a former teammate of Martin's - suggested there is always an opportunity for a special appearance. “He only comes out for the big occasions,’’ Riewoldt said to The Herald Sun.

“(There were) some private meetings, they were until they were leaked. It’s been good fun. I’ve been enjoying our conversations with Dusty. Everyone wants to know what’s next for Dusty and I just have this weird feeling he’s going to bob up on Fox some time.”

https://au.news.yahoo.com/dustin-martin-in-major-afl-commentary-twist-as-bruce-mcavaney-makes-call-on-full-time-return-042538035.html

[Damo]

Speaking at the Fox Footy season launch in South Yarra, Riewoldt - a former teammate of Martin's - suggested there is always an opportunity for a special appearance. “He only comes out for the big occasions,’’ Riewoldt said to The Herald Sun.

“(There were) some private meetings, they were until they were leaked. It’s been good fun. I’ve been enjoying our conversations with Dusty. Everyone wants to know what’s next for Dusty and I just have this weird feeling he’s going to bob up on Fox some time.”

https://au.news.yahoo.com/dustin-martin-in-major-afl-commentary-twist-as-bruce-mcavaney-makes-call-on-full-time-return-042538035.html

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