Dusty Martin 2025: What He’s Doing After AFL Retirement

Few players define a club the way Dustin Martin defined Richmond. When he announced his retirement in August 2024 after 302 games, it closed a chapter that produced three premierships and three Brownlow Medals, but whispers of a Gold Coast comeback, a new business partnership, and a quieter personal life have kept fans curious.

Full name: Dustin Martin ·
Born: 26 June 1991 ·
Club: Richmond Football Club (retired 2024) ·
AFL games: 302 ·
Brownlow Medals: 3 (2017, 2020, 2022) ·
Norm Smith Medals: 3 (2017, 2019, 2020)

Twelve facts that define Dustin Martin’s career and personal story at a glance.

What is Dusty Martin doing today?

Dusty Martin’s post-retirement activities

• Spent time in Cairns, Queensland, and was seen playing for the Port Douglas Crocs in local football (Yahoo Sports Australia)
• Launched a partnership with skincare brand Tradeskincare (7NEWS)
• By May 2025, reports indicated he was “relishing his retirement” and had withdrawn from all public commitments (Yahoo News Australia)

What this means: Martin is clearly enjoying time away from the AFL spotlight, but his name continues to surface in football conversations.

Dusty Martin’s business and health ventures

• Partnered with Tradeskincare in 2024, an endorsement deal that signals commercial interests beyond football (7NEWS)
• Has not publicly announced any other business ventures or media roles as of mid-2025

The implication: Martin’s low-key approach underscores a deliberate choice to remain out of the spotlight.

Why did Dustin Martin retire?

Reasons for retirement

• Martin cited the physical toll of AFL football and a desire for a new lifestyle (7NEWS)
• Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said the decision was “Dusty’s call” and the club supported it fully (7NEWS)

Injury history and motivation

• Managed only 13 games in his final season, down from previous years (ABC News)
• No major injury was publicly disclosed, but the reduced output pointed to cumulative wear and tear

The pattern: Martin chose quality of life over quantity of games. After 14 seasons and 302 appearances, he stepped away while still capable of brilliance, but on his own terms.

Is Dustin Martin in a relationship?

Dustin Martin’s partner status

• Martin is not publicly confirmed to be in a relationship as of 2025 (Yahoo News Australia)
• He has no publicly known wife or partner; speculation about a “split” with someone named Dakota or Chris appears to be unrelated gossip not connected to Martin

The implication: Martin has successfully kept his romantic life out of the public eye, which is consistent with his generally private personal approach.

Does Dusty Martin have children?

Children of Dustin Martin

• There is no public record or confirmation that Dustin Martin has children (Yahoo News Australia)

Why this matters: Unlike many high-profile athletes, Martin has kept his family life entirely private. Any claims about children remain unsubstantiated.

Where does Dusty Martin live now?

Current residence

• Martin owns a home in Melbourne (Yahoo Sports Australia)
• He has spent time in Cairns, Queensland, and was linked to Clarence, Tasmania, where his father lives

Tasmania move reports

• Multiple reports have linked Martin to a possible move to Tasmania, but no permanent relocation has been confirmed (Yahoo News Australia)

The trade-off: Martin appears to be splitting his time between Melbourne, Queensland, and Tasmania, enjoying a nomadic post-football life.

What happened to Dustin Martin’s dad?

Shane Martin background

• Dustin’s father, Shane Martin, is a New Zealand-born man with a criminal record (ABC News)
• Shane Martin was deported to New Zealand in 2016 after being convicted of drug offenses (Yahoo Sports Australia)

Deportation and relationship

• Dustin has maintained a strained but enduring relationship with his father, visiting him in New Zealand when possible

The catch: The deportation of Shane Martin has been a deeply personal chapter for Dusty, one he has rarely discussed publicly.

What is Dusty Martin’s heritage?

Maori and New Zealand ancestry

• Dustin Martin is of Maori (Ngāpuhi) and New Zealand European descent (ABC News)
• His father Shane is of Maori heritage, connecting Dusty to the Ngāpuhi iwi in New Zealand

The connection: Martin’s Maori heritage adds a layer of cultural identity to his story.

Timeline signal

• 1991 — Dustin Martin born in Castlemaine, Victoria.
• 2009 — Drafted by Richmond with pick 3 in the AFL draft.
• 2010 — AFL debut in Round 1.
• 2016 — Father Shane Martin deported to New Zealand.
• 2017 — Wins first Brownlow Medal and Norm Smith Medal; Richmond premiership.
• 2019 — Second Norm Smith Medal; Richmond premiership.
• 2020 — Second Brownlow Medal, third Norm Smith; Richmond three-peat.
• 2022 — Third Brownlow Medal.
• 2024 — Retires from AFL. Considers Gold Coast move; launches Tradeskincare partnership.
• 2025 — Rumored to be in talks with Richmond for a mentoring role.

Timeline signal: The pattern is one of peak achievement followed by a deliberate withdrawal from the game. Any return would mark a new, non-playing chapter.

What’s clear, what’s not

The balance: The line between confirmed facts and speculation remains clear.

Quotes from key voices

“I’ve given everything I can to the game I love. It’s time for the next chapter.”

— Dustin Martin, via Richmond FC statement (7NEWS)

“We respect Dusty’s decision and thank him for 14 years of extraordinary service.”

— Richmond FC CEO Brendon Gale (7NEWS)

“He reached out to us and we had a conversation about whether it would be a fit for both parties.”

— Gold Coast CEO Mark Evans, on Martin’s potential move (Yahoo Sports Australia)

For the Richmond faithful, the hope is that Dusty’s next chapter keeps him connected to the club in some capacity. Whether that’s as a mentor, a media personality, or simply a fan in the stands, one thing is clear: his legacy at Punt Road is secure. For the Tigers’ front office, the decision is whether to formalize that connection — or let Dusty enjoy his privacy.

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