“One of the greatest”: The how and the why of Dustin Martin

The below piece was written for Dustin Martin’s 300th AFL game in June.

Following his retirement, we felt it the perfect time to resurface it.

Every person who reads this is well aware of Dustin Martin’s football ability.

Poise. Power. Grace. Grunt. Deftness. Devastation. Cleverness. Control. Brute strength. Brilliance. No-nonsense. Nuanced.

We have witnessed all of these attributes and more across 299 remarkable games for the Richmond Football Club.

The man widely known as ‘Dusty’, or ‘Duz’ to his teammates, is universally admired but remains very much an enigma to the outside world.

The general footy follower knows everything there is to know about Martin the footballer, but what about the great No.4’s qualities as a person?

Trent Cotchin knows them well.

The three-time premiership captain built a strong relationship with the three-time Norm Smith medallist over the years and the pair remain close to this day.

“He’s a very giving and spiritual person who is huge on loyalty,” Cotchin told the AFL Record & SEN.com.au.

“There’s a lot more depth to him than most people would think with regards to what intrigues him.”

While Martin is mostly a mystery to the media and the wider footy public, he certainly is not to the people in Richmond’s inner sanctum.

What might be perceived as shyness to the outside world is absolutely not that when it comes to comradeship behind the scenes.

“Everyone gets down in the sports hall and plays cricket or another activity, he was the driver of that,” Cotchin said of the social Dusty.

“Or every time he speaks, it has quite a heavy weight to it. He's the life of the party all the time. He's the one that organises them.”

Martin’s current captain, Toby Nankervis, fully agrees with the former skipper’s assessment of the dual Jack Dyer medallist and four-time All-Australian.

“He's a very quiet and private person and very, very competitive as well, clearly,” Nankervis said.

“He just loves the environment of the footy club. He loves having a laugh, he loves the camaraderie and the family aspect. That really resonates with him.

“He likes being part of a team and having that really close bond together means a lot to him.

“He is not in it for the fanfare.”

Spending time watching tape is not high on Martin’s agenda. He has such a clever footy IQ that he need not delve too far into the inner workings of the game.

While he does rely on his naturally innate ability, he sees the game so clearly that he is a good educator.

“I wouldn't say he's an astute learner of the game,” added Cotchin.

“Dusty’s strength isn’t going and sitting down and watching hours of tape, but he's very good at seeing the game and pointing people in the right direction.”

Given his superstar status, you could imagine the awe budding youngsters would be in when they first walk through the Punt Road doors.

But Martin would not at all be inclined to believe he is above anyone else, particularly a fresh draftee.

“Dusty would be equally, if not more shy, in the initial phase with a new person coming into the environment,” Cotchin said.

“Kids walk into the change room for the first day, and he’ll be one of the first to help break that ice and just go over and shake a hand and say, ‘well, you’re in for an awesome ride’.

“He would be more worried about the first impression that he makes.”

One prime example of this was after Marlion Pickett was picked up by the Tigers in the 2019 mid-season rookie draft.

Martin opened up his house to Pickett then took further care of the 2019 grand final debutant with an unselfish darted pass, resulting in a memorable goal.

“He allowed Marlion to live with him for a period of time just because that was the best way for Marlion to be introduced into the AFL world,” said Cotchin.

“Then sharing that experience when Marlion was named to play, and seeing how much that meant to him. Then obviously the moment on grand final day where he found him with a pass and realised the enormity of it.

“That is a great example of how he would look out for people.”

Quiet and shy by nature but with meaningful words to utter, Martin can often captivate his colleagues.

He doesn’t speak often, but when he does, it cuts through.

“Obviously, he's absolutely one of the greatest to ever play the game, but he’s so very approachable within the footy club,” Nankervis added.

“The way he speaks in meetings is very insightful which a lot of people probably don't expect.

“His voice carries so much weight and his actions carry so much weight, more so than anyone else.

“He has a really calming influence.”

Martin becomes just the seventh Tiger to reach 300 games. He joins club legends Kevin Bartlett, Jack Dyer and Francis Bourke in Richmond’s 300-club.

It is a group of names that also includes premiership peers Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards, but it’s Martin’s exploits in yellow and black that might just place him at the top of this list when all is said and done.

“Of modern day players he would have to be in the top few, from a performance point of view,” Cotchin offered.

“The amount of moments where he saw it, grabbed it, executed it and changed the narrative of a game is more significant than anyone else.

“I suppose just everything he’s achieved is enough.”

Nankervis concurs: “He’s absolutely one of the greatest to ever play the game.”

When it comes to tributes to champion footballers, the theme of legacy often arises.

It’s a difficult topic to quantify and one that can only be speculated upon.

Cotchin supposes that Martin wouldn’t be overly comfortable discussing or assessing what he will one day leave behind at Punt Road Oval, but is confident the preeminent midfielder/forward of his generation will certainly find pride in what he’s achieved.

He hopes in time that his good mate ‘Dusty’ can share or chronicle his own fable considering his immense standing in the game.

“I reckon Dusty would be embarrassed if you spoke to him about leaving his own individual legacy,” he said further.

“The thing that makes me most proud about what the Richmond Football Club is known for over this period has been just their willingness to lean into their own stories and how that can then come together and create a pretty beautiful story altogether.

“So I think he’d be super proud of being part of that.

“I hope one day he shares more of the trials and tribulations of growing up, how that flows into what he was like when he first got drafted versus how he is now.

“Where I think his greatest legacy might come from is if you put your heart, mind and soul into something that you love, and surround yourself with people that want to help you get there, it can be done.”

The accolades, the trophies, the haircuts, the iconic ‘don’t argue’, the role he played to perfection during the club’s successful spell are all part of his legacy.

And his deeds of dominance are forever woven into the rich tapestry of the Richmond Football Club, just like the tattoos emblazoned on his skin.