Dustin Martin tipped to backflip on retirement call as AFL great makes staggering claim

Dustin Martin's sudden retirement stunned the AFL world on Tuesday as the Tigers legend announced he would be calling time on his illustrious career having played his last game for Richmond against North Melbourne. While many predicted Martin's career was coming to an end, it was widely anticipated that he would at least see out the season and give fans the chance to farewell the Tigers legend at the MCG in the final game against the Suns.

But former Melbourne Demons star David Schwarz, who previously declared that Dusty was “100 per cent” going to be on the Gold Coast in 2025, has doubled down on his claims, stating he still believes he will reunite with his former coach and mentor Damien Hardwick at the Suns next season. The pair won three premierships together in four years at Richmond, where at the time Martin was arguably the best player in the game.

In July, the Melbourne Demons great declared Martin would be at the Suns next year on a two-year deal. And Martin’s retirement announcement on Tuesday, did little to change Schwartz's mind, with the former Demons player claiming that it is part of a "long play" and that he will still end up on the Gold Coast either in a playing or mentoring capacity.

“By no means am I backing down from what I said,” Schwarz told SEN radio. “I didn’t say that he wouldn’t retire. I said (he) would end up at the Gold Coast. We have seen this 100 times from AFL players when they retire and then they go and find another place. Just sit back, hop on the banana lounge, grab a pina colada and wait and see what happens. And if he doesn’t, well I’ll put my hand up and say I was wrong.

“This is a long play. It’s not about Dusty retiring, it’s about Dusty going to the Gold Coast. He’s not going there to be a star. He’s going there for marketing reasons, coaching purposes, and experience. He’s not going to go there and be Dusty from seven years ago.

“You know what you’re getting, star power that comes through the door and a great relationship with the coach. (I) get it wrong occasionally, but this one I am still very confident.”

Dustin Martin continues to be linked to Gold Coast move

Martin is without a doubt one of the greatest players of the modern era, winning three premierships and three Norm Smith Medals with Richmond, along with the Brownlow Medal in 2017. He played 302 games and kicked 338 goals across a storied career, but has been restricted to just 13 appearances this year due to injuries.

Despite announcing his retirement from the AFL, speculation about him heading north hasn't stopped. And Richmond were coy about what his future holds moving forward.

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Asked at Martin’s retirement press conference about speculation linking the star to the Suns, Tigers CEO Brendon Gale refused to rule out the possibility. "Dustin is retired from AFL football - that’s our understanding. We’ll just leave it at that at this stage," he said.

“It will be a chance to step out of the bubble, recharge, reflect and renew, I guess, and see what’s next. He has been well paid, so he’ll be OK.” AFL fans will now wait with bated breath to see if he steps away from the game altogether or takes up a role either at Richmond or Gold Coast.