Dustin Martin in talks with Gold Coast over continuing his AFL career
Dustin Martin has held talks about continuing his AFL career under his premiership coach Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast. MARK ROBINSON has exclusive details.
Mark Robinson
@Robbo_heraldsun
less than 2 min read
September 13, 2024 - 1:46PM
News Sport Network
Dustin Martin has met Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick in the post-season, intensifying speculation one of the game’s greats is
set to join the Suns for the 2025 season.
Martin, 33, would become a Suns player as a free agent.
The shock development that Martin is leaning towards
continuing his AFL career has grown substance in recent weeks.
The cost for the Suns would be a list spot and Martin’s wage – estimated to be $500,000-$700,000 – and the Tigers would receive nothing.
Martin played his final game for the Tigers on August 3 and
announced his retirement two days later.
It’s believed Martin has spent recent weeks weighing up whether he has the motivation to continue playing.
It’s also believed Martin has dropped several kilograms in weight in preparation for pre-season training.
The AFL would welcome the three-time Norm Smith medallist to the Suns but Martin would likely miss out on any AFL ambassador money.
Despite his national profile and popularity with kids, it’s believed the AFL would be reluctant to pay Martin a Gary Ablett-type salary to promote the game in Queensland.
An ambassadorial package would require Martin to be available to all media to help promote the game and be open to various school and promotional visits.
His refusal to speak to the AFL media for the past decade would count against Martin if he was to pursue an ambassador’s role.
Martin played 302 games for the Tigers, including the 2017, 2019-20 premierships.