Dustin Martin called out over 'ordinary look' as $300,000 detail emerges in Gold Coast move

Kane Cornes has labelled Dustin Martin's potential retirement backflip and move to the Gold Coast Suns as 'ordinary' with his free agent move raising eyebrows within the AFL world. Last week, it was confirmed Martin had approached the Suns over a potential move north only weeks after it appeared the Richmond legend had retired.

Martin was afforded a rousing farewell at the MCG from Richmond fans in their final home game against the Suns. While Martin had been linked with the Suns for 2025 - and a reunion with former coach Damien Hardwick - the speculation dissipated after what appeared to be his farewell from the game.

However, reports from The Herald Sun claimed Martin had met with Hardwick and there were plans he would join the Suns as a free agent. The club confirmed Martin had reached out to the Suns in a statement to the publication.

While many feel Martin has the right to choose if he wants to play on for a different club, how it has unfolded behind the scenes has raised some eyebrows. Martin retired without breaking any contract. Martin reportedly has until October to make up his decision on whether he wants to play on, before the AFL lodge his retirement papers.

This means he would be available as a free agent. Martin would be a list position and earn around $300,000. This salary appears extremely low for a three-time premiership winner who has won the Norm Smith medal three times. While Martin may have been well below his best in 2024, this doesn't mean the 33-year-old can't rediscover his form.

Richmond won't receive any compensation for the star heading north with the move reportedly being pushed by the Martin camp. And AFL great Kane Cornes has claimed the overall look of the potential move is 'ordinary'.

Cornes claimed if Martin wanted to keep playing footy he should have continued with Richmond and stayed a one-club player. “It’s a really ordinary look for Dustin Martin. For him to basically not want to play this year and in the background pushing to get to another club,” Cornes said on SEN Radio.

“If he wants to continue, stay at Richmond. Finish as a Richmond player. That’s what he should be doing. He didn’t want to play this year and he’s been trying to get to another club and pushing that. In five years time we won’t remember this and it won’t affect his legacy, but if there’s motivation to play it should be at Richmond, not Gold Coast.”

Martin did not enjoy the best season for the Tigers in 2024 having played 13 games in the club's horror campaign. Martin averaged 17.4 disposals, which was down from his career average of 24.2. He was well below his career average of kicks per game with just 9.8 and averaged less than a goal per game.

Dustin Martin leaves Richmond with stunning tribute

Martin will forever be famous for ending Richmond's 37-year premiership drought in 2017. And he will go down as one of the best players of all time and arguably the greatest finals player of all time. The midfielder won three premierships and added three Norm Smith Medals along with them.

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He also added a Brownlow Medal with his 2017 title. He remains the only player even to win the Norm Smith medal three times. Hawthorn great Luke Hodge (2008, 2014), Adelaide legend Andrew McLeod (1997, 1998) and Hawks hero Gary Ayres (1986, 1988) are the only other players to have one the medal more than once.