Dustin Martin’s retirement on Tuesday was the announcement many around the AFL feared was coming after speculation persisted throughout the year.
But when the 33-year-old Richmond superstar returned from a back injury for Saturday’s away game against North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, few would have thought it would be the last time he would pull on the yellow and black.
Brian Taylor, though, was the exception.
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The Channel 7 commentator called the Tigers’ 13-point defeat and pre-empted the match with the prediction that it would be Martin’s last appearance.
Martin was recalled to the side with premiership teammates Toby Nankervis and Jack Graham, while Kamdyn McIntosh was moved into the substitute role for the third time in a season where the 30-year-old veteran has missed just one game.
Among the flag heroes still left on the Richmond list, only three missed out on AFL selection — Dylan Grimes and Tom Lynch due to long-term injuries, and Marlion Pickett while on the comeback trail.
The team sheet was the first clue for Taylor to feel Martin could be saying farewell after his 302nd AFL game.
“I’m going to give you some news today. Now it is of my belief — this is just a feeling, and it’s a feeling generated by the Richmond players, I believe — that this is Dusty’s last game,” Taylor said on Triple M.
Taylor reiterated multiple times that it was only a prediction.
“There have been no official announcements, Dusty hasn’t told anyone, the club don’t know, the players don’t know,” he said.
“It is a feel that’s come from within the players, so much so that there are a couple of players out there playing today that may not in fact be playing if they hadn’t that knowledge of it being Dusty’s last game and of course they want to be involved.
“So it is one to watch today.
“It’s important to remember that this is not something that is confirmed by players or by administration. This is a feeling that has been generated amongst the players.”
James Brayshaw said: “You don’t get this stuff wrong very often, Brian.”
Martin did not get the chance to be mobbed by teammates, only kicking two behinds from his 16 disposals, but he left the field all smiles while arm in arm with Nathan Broad.
The triple Norm Smith medallist told teammates of his decision to retire on Tuesday, according to Richmond.
“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 club 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 so 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.”
While Martin’s mind was evidently made up, retiring with the defeat to North ensured he suffered the unfair ignominy of losing every game he played in his last season.
He missed the five-point win over Sydney in Round 3 with a calf complaint.
He was rested from the Tigers’ trip to Adelaide to face the Crows in Round 13 to ensure he brought up his 300th game at the MCG the following week.
And that decision meant he could only watch as his teammates picked up their second victory of the year.
Martin played 13 games this year but would have needed to manage his body through three more weeks to have enjoyed an MCG farewell — against his premiership coach Damien Hardwick and the Gold Coast Suns — in the final round.
Instead, Richmond fans will be given the chance to farewell Martin during a presentation before the Suns clash.
In the meantime, the Tigers will host St Kilda in a rare Marvel Stadium home game on Sunday before being the away team to Hawthorn at the MCG the following week.
