AFL
2 hours ago
“Closer than what people think”: Schwarz reacts after deadline passes for Martin to join Suns
By Lachlan Geleit
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.”
Martin did meet with Hardwick and the Suns following the season, with club CEO Mark Evans confirming they were in contact.
With his playing career done, a report emerged on Tuesday that Martin could be set for a role with Fox Footy after he was pictured with Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany, Fox Sports managing director Steve Crawley, former teammate and Fox Footy employee Jack Riewoldt and his manager Ralph Carr.
