“Cannot get my head around it”: Edmund and Mooney react to Dustin Martin media rumours

A report emerged on Tuesday that Richmond champion Dustin Martin could be set for a commentary role with Fox Footy next year.

While nothing has been confirmed and the role is yet unknown, there has been immediate reaction in the footy world considering Martin’s well-known avoidance of the media.

Over the course of his glittering career, ‘Dusty’ would often shun the media and was near impossible to get an interview with whether it be for TV, radio, print or digital.

He refused all media calls ahead of his 300th game, aside from a brief on-field chat with former teammate Jack Riewoldt after the match, and was again silent following his retirement.

So the news that he might be headed for a media role is puzzling to some.

After Martin met with Foxtel’s Patrick Delany and Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley, along with his manager Ralph Carr and former teammate (and Fox commentator) Jack Riewoldt, it set the rumour mill alight, and garnered snap reactions from all over.

Sam Edmund and his SEN Breakfast co-host Cam Mooney, who also works for Fox, discussed the possibility of the three-time Norm Smith Medallist and premiership player wading into the media world after a career of evading it.

“So the guy who spends his entire life as a footy recluse, shunning and hating the media, doing everything he can to avoid the media - which is ultimately his prerogative - but to turn around, if this story is accurate, and then consider making something of a living from that same footy media, I think is the most stupid thing I have read this year, maybe in multiple years,” said Edmund.

Mooney added: “We don’t know exactly what it is. It’s probably more of a specials (special comments role).

“Maybe he’s been saying, ‘I’ve just been waiting and waiting and then I’m just going to come out and go bang, and I’m going to be the most talkative man on TV’.”

Edmund continued: “I cannot get head my head around it.

“Could there be a greater case of sporting hypocrisy than if he was to do a show on Fox or join the commentary team… it can’t be true. If it’s not then forget everything I’ve said.

“But he is aware of the job description, isn’t he? If he is to go down this path he will have to speak.”

Mooney: “They’re going to have to come out and explain exactly what this role may entail.”

Edmund: “I’m sure they will in time if it is signed off on and terms of agreement are met.”

The pair then used a more jocular tone when further discussing what type of role there could be for Martin at Fox.

Mooney: “I can’t wait for him to come out and make all of you eat your words when he comes out and nails the first interview with a player.

“I’m telling you, this is the Dusty we’ve all been waiting for.”

Edmund: “He’s going to be talking over the top of people, Dwayne (Russell) won’t get a word In, ‘Huddo’ (Anthony Hudson) won’t be able to speak because Dusty just won’t be shutting up.”

Mooney: “We’re all going, ‘My god, where has this been?’”

Martin, who retired at the end of last season, has also been linked with a potential shock return to footy with the Gold Coast Suns after reportedly holding talks with them.

So far nothing has come of that scenario with Martin insisting he was happily retired at Richmond’s best and fairest night in early October.

He has always been a mysterious figure to the wider public and it seems a mooted foray into the media world is shrouded in just as much mystery.

Perhaps it could be a Dustin Martin special produced by Fox to celebrate his career?