The manager of Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has quashed recent reports that the triple Norm Smith Medal winner is set to announce his retirement in the immediate future.
Ralph Carr, Martin's long-term representative and close friend, responded to claims from the son of former AFL journalist Mike Sheahan that Dusty was being talked out of a Punt Road departure.
As stated by controversial ex-journalist Tony Sheahan on Wayne Carey's ironically named The Truth Hurts podcast, Martin was said to be desperate to hang up the boots, however, was being persuaded to stay by the Tigers, namely to see the champion play his 300th game.
“I'm hearing some shocking information out of Tigerland,” Sheahan professed.
“My understanding is that Dustin Martin is threatening to walk away, wants to finish on a high.”
However, less than a day after Sheahan's reports, Carr spoke with The Herald Sun, stressing that his client was keen to kick on at Tigerland.
“Dustin at this point has no intention of retiring, and he has never lost his love for AFL football," Carr said.
“The Richmond Football Club, the AFL and family has been an incredible support to him and I personally know that he wants to stay in the game as long as possible.
“I also want to thank all supporters of the game for supporting ‘the people's champion' Dustin Martin.”
Martin and the Tigers will earn their opportunity to add another win to their young season when they take on West Coast at the MCG on Sunday.
And if Martin remains both fit and available, the superstar will become just the sixth Tiger to join the club's 300-club when Richmond plays host to Hawthorn on the 15th of June.
At present, Kevin Bartlett, Francis Bourke, Wayne Campbell, and Martin's former teammates Jack Riewoldt, Trent Cotchin and Shane Edwards remain the only Tigers to have played 300 or more games.
