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Dustin Martin tries to be the ‘fun uncle’ for all the children in his life after admitting it was the playful adults around him growing up that inspired him the most.
The notoriously private AFL superstar spoke about his love of children during an interview with Stellar magazine.
Martin, affectionately known as Dusty and considered one of Australia’s greatest athletes, is often spotted on the floor or at the kids’ table at Richmond Tigers functions.
Dustin Martin tries to be the ‘fun uncle’ for all the children in his life after admitting it was the playful adults around him while he was growing up that inspired him the most. Pictured during his photo shoot for a Stellar Magazine interview
‘I just remember as a kid I had a lot of great people I looked up to – my mum, dad, aunties and uncles – and they were always fun to be around and looked after me,’ he explained.
The 29-year-old often visits his dad Shane in New Zealand after he was deported for associating with criminal enterprise – but rarely speaks publicly on his personal relationships
‘So I guess I try and be that kind of ‘fun uncle’ for the kids – and be there for them.’
Martin has developed somewhat of a ‘bad boy’ image in the game and little is known about his personal life.
He rarely gives interviews, explaining he ‘doesn’t care’ what other people think about him, while acknowledging that he is ‘imperfect’.
‘I don’t know if I’m misunderstood or not. I just keep trying to be the best person I can,’ he said.
Martin’s beloved mother Kathy knew when he was just five years old that he was destined to play AFL, and nurtured his hobby as he got older.
‘As soon as he put a football in his hands… We all knew he was born to play AFL. He’s just getting better and better and better, and he’s only going to get better again next year.’ she previously revealed.
Martin, affectionately known as Dusty and considered one of Australia’s greatest athletes, is often spotted on the floor or at the kids’ table at official Richmond Tigers functions
Martin, affectionately known as Dusty and considered one of Australia’s greatest athletes, is often spotted on the floor or at the kids’ table at official Richmond Tigers functions
He and his brothers – one older and one younger – created an AFL pitch in their backyard in Yapeen, a 10 minute drive out of Castlemaine in regional Victoria.
They lived on three acres and often turned the property into a football field or cricket pitch.
‘I was out in the paddock snapping goals from the boundary and pretending I was on the MCG,’ he said. ‘People often ask me how I do certain things and the reality is that I’ve been practising since I was five or six.’
In the winter, Kathy allowed the boys to play football in the house.
But it wasn’t just natural ability that saw him rise to the top of his field. In 2019, a handwritten note Martin wrote to himself as a child surfaced illustrating his dedication to the sport.
The note was titled ‘my fitness routine to be an AFL star’ and included two days of football training and three rest days over the weekend.
In 2019, a handwritten note Martin wrote to himself as a child surfaced illustrating his dedication to the sport. The note was titled ‘my fitness routine to be an AFL star’ and included two days of football training and three rest days over the weekend
‘I just remember as a kid I had a lot of great people I looked up to – my mum, dad, aunties and uncles – and they were always fun to be around and looked after me,’ he explained
On his days off football training, Martin would do push ups, sit ups and run laps.
In addition to the fitness schedule, Martin planned to eat Nutri-Grain and Vita Brits for breakfast paired with a salad roll for lunch and a choice of orange juice or water to drink.
For dinner, he’d usually just eat what Kathy prepared.
Martin credits his parents for shaping him into a hard worker, and says their parenting methods allowed him to make decisions for himself and gain the confidence needed to reach his peak.
‘They let us live and learn, but were always there to put us back in line and teach us discipline and important life lessons,’ he recalled.
The couple separated when Martin was just young, and after leaving school in grade nine he moved to Sydney to live with his dad.
He hated the odd jobs that followed, and by 16 again dedicated himself to becoming a professional footballer.
But he knows he won’t be able to play on forever, and has already expressed an interest in expanding further into the fashion industry when he hangs up the boots.
Martin rarely gives interviews, explaining he ‘doesn’t care’ what other people think about him, while acknowledging that he is ‘imperfect. ‘Read more in this week’s Stellar with Dustin on the cover
The 29-year-old often visits his dad in New Zealand after he was deported for associating with criminal enterprise – but rarely speaks publicly on his personal relationships
Remarkably candid, by Martin’s standards, in the interview, he still remained tight lipped on his relationship with his father Shane Martin.
The 29-year-old often visits his dad in New Zealand after he was deported for associating with criminal enterprise – but rarely speaks publicly on his personal relationships.
Martin debuted for the Richmond Tigers aged 18 in 2010, and has played for the club ever since, going on to win three premierships and three ‘best on ground’ titles in the grand final matches.
His reluctance to discuss personal relationships extends well beyond his own private life.
The star midfielder refused to comment on coach Damian Hardwick’s marriage breakdown or new relationship, instead insisting that it would not impact the team as they work toward another premiership.
Martin spent the off season working on fine tuning his body and his craft, and says he’s still committed to becoming the best player and person he can be.
Martin debuted for the Richmond Tigers aged 18 in 2010, and has played for the club ever since, going on to win three premierships and three ‘best on ground’ titles in the grand final matches
And while he insists routine is important – having setup a home gym to keep in shape while away from training on the field – he said he has only picked up one new hobby.
‘If sleeping on the couch in the afternoon is a hobby, that is what I did,’ he said.
In addition to his afternoon naps, Martin has taken up going for daily walks to clear his mind – making sure to leave his phone behind and has been reading self help books.
‘I made sure I had a routine where I got up early and did all my training in the morning, that sets your day up… I find if you are on your own and doing your own thing you tend to push yourself a bit harder,’ he said.
Martin made headlines in 2019 when he famously ditched his car at the Melbourne Cricket Ground car park for 65 days while celebrating Richmond’s 2019 grand final win.
The MCG allowed the star to leave his car there from the September 28 game through to the end of the year after he ran out of time to collect it between celebrating the win and boarding a plan to Las Vegas for a post-season holiday.
Martin has several brand deals in the works, including one with Bonds (pictured modeling their new range)
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