Richmond champion Dustin Martin has called time on his stellar AFL career.
But just as fellow modern legend Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin did this time last year, Martin opted not to show up to the press conference on Tuesday.
Both Martin and Franklin wowed fans with their feats on the field but spent their illustrious careers hiding from the limelight as best they could.
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While their athletic ability was outstanding, the men shunned media attention right to the end.
Instead it was Tigers CEO Brendon Gale who fronted cameras on Tuesday to sing Martin’s praises.
“He’s never been comfortable with the media, he’s a private person,” Gale said – echoing Swans coach John Longmire’s explanation for Franklin’s absence.
“He’s always done things his own way.”
And no one can argue that.
Martin, 33, won three premierships with the Tigers and claimed three Norm Smith Medals as best player in the grand finals.
He claimed the 2017 Brownlow Medal to solidify his status as the league’s best player during Richmond’s dominant era.
Martin is also a four-time All-Australian player and is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever lace up a boot.
While he won’t return to the field again, the Tigers plan to farewell Martin from the MCG when they play the Suns in round 24.
There’s also suggestions there could be a bronze statue built outside Punt Road – if not the MCG, where Martin made big games his own.
Gale is heading to the new Tasmanian AFL franchise next year and would not rule out trying to lure Martin south with him – not as a player, though.
Speculation about his future had been rife all season after long-time Tigers coach Damien Hardwick left Punt Road last year.
Martin’s desire and commitment had been questioned and on Tuesday the Tigers confirmed he would call it a day.
”It is hard to put into words what the Richmond Football Club means to me, I love this place so much,” Martin said in a statement.
“I will be forever grateful for the love and the support I have received from the people here.
“To my teammates, the brotherhood that we all share is what I value most, as well as the bond with the staff and coaches… Thank you to all of you.
“To my family and friends, thank you for your unconditional love and support.
“To the Tiger army, I have always felt loved and supported throughout my career, and for that, I will be forever grateful. The memories that we have created together will live with me forever. Thank you.”
Richmond’s statement confirmed Martin will not play again this season.
It means his career ends on 302 games and 338 goals.
In his 2017 season – when Richmond’s premiership era kicked off – Martin put forth one of the best individual seasons on record.
He won the Norm Smith Medal, the premiership, the Brownlow Medal, the Leigh Matthews MVP Trophy, was the AFL Coaches Association player of the year, made the All-Australian team, won the Gary Ayers Medal and was Richmond’s best and fairest.
“So much has been said about Dustin’s impact on our club and the competition, but more than anything, and put simply, I think it is the joy that he gave the Tiger army and those around him that might mean the most,” Gale said.
“Three premierships and best on ground in each of them will always be his legend, and rightly, it, along with his unique aura, will be what he is best remembered for.
“But I think Dustin would be most proud of what he was able to achieve playing for a team… for our team and the magnificent role he was able to play within that system, which let him be every bit the footballing genius that he was always destined to be.
“That genius was most evident when the stakes were at their highest when the crowd was at its loudest when all eyes were on him, and when the moments needed a hero.
“Dustin did it his way, and we are all just so lucky to have been Richmond people during his era of dominance. So, all I can say on behalf of everyone associated with our great club is thank you to an icon. To our icon.”