Melbourne great David Schwarz has dropped a bombshell, reporting that Richmond champion Dustin Martin will “100 per cent” be playing for the Gold Coast Suns next season and beyond.
Martin’s future has been up in the air in 2024, as his nine-year mega deal draws to a close.
The triple premiership hero played game 300 in round 13 against Hawthorn, with hints that Martin could hang up the boots then and there.
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But the 33-year-old shut down such suggestions in his post-match interview.
He would return for the club’s round 16 clash against Carlton, but was subbed off in sorry scenes, citing back soreness as the cause.
Martin’s coach Adem Yze remained coy on the 2017 Brownlow Medallist’s immediate future, confirming before the Carlton match that he would not travel to face the Dockers the following week.
But Yze did rule out immediate retirement.
“He’s going to be one of those players that we’ve got to decide with (because) we’re starting to prepare for eight-day breaks and six-day breaks,” Yze said on the eve of their clash with Carlton.
While retirement may be out of the question for Martin, he may not sign on and stay a one-club player.
He has still been heavily linked to the Gold Coast Suns, where his former premiership coach, Damien Hardwick, has landed.
Now, Schwarz has dropped a bombshell on the Tigers and the rest of the league, suggesting that the midfield champion will definitely be at the Suns come 2025.
“One-hundred per cent, Dustin Martin will be playing at the Gold Coast next year, for a two year contract,” Schwarz said on SEN Radio on Tuesday.
“Yep, it’s done.
“You will see that he will be playing with the Gold Coast next year.”
But how Martin’s reported contract up north will look, if it does come to fruition, will be very different to what he’s used to.
“I reckon you’ll find that he’ll play the majority of home games and travelling might not be a big option for him,” Schwarz said.
Martin’s ageing body, and the fact that you simply can’t stop Father Time, may become a hindrance to the young Suns squad, who are attempting their push for a maiden finals appearance this season.
But Schwarz is convinced it’s a “win-win” for all parties involved, with a coup as big as Martin offering a new chance at breeding success.
“He brings a bit of star factor, they want people through the gates, which is really important,” he said.
“Anybody who has played with Dustin Martin knows that he is a great leader about what he does on the training track, and what he does on the field.
“He’s not a big talker, but when he does talk, he commands enormous respect.
“For a young group, there’s only benefits that he brings.
“He’s got his outside life under control. He’s mature and his example is exactly what the Gold Coast need.”
Most importantly, Martin’s close bond with his former coach Hardwick comes into play, as a key factor pulling him up north.
“He brings marketing dollars, he’s got a great relationship with the coach. He knows that (game) system,” Schwarz said.
“He’s goes up there in a playing and coaching role behind the scenes.
“It’s a win-win. Richmond will get a nice pick for him, he gets another opportunity.
“Everybody wins in this. Football wins, Dustin Martin wins, Richmond wins, Gold Coast wins.”
Martin’s teammate, small defender Daniel Rioli, who also played under Hardwick, has also been linked to the Suns, with reports he has already flown up to the Gold Coast to catch up with his former coach.