Dustin Martin’s manager Ralph Carr has spoken out about a viral photo which appeared to show the Richmond Tigers legend meeting the powers that be at Fox Footy on Tuesday for a coffee.
The image sparked widespread speculation that Martin, a three-time Norm Smith medalist, could be ready to move into broadcasting following his retirement in August.
Many fans took to social media and wondered if the famous, camera-shy soccer star would be right for a TV role.
It comes amid widespread upheaval across Australia’s sports broadcasting landscape, with several pundits including Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson and Craig Hutchison all moving to Channel Seven. Former Geelong striker Tom Hawkins, who also retired at the end of the season, has linked up with Fox Footy.
There was speculation that Martin, 33, could still be nominated for the National Draft, with the deadline ending today at 3 p.m.
Former Richmond star Dustin Martin has been linked with a career move to join Fox Footy.
Speculation arose after Martin and his agent Ralph Carr were pictured having a meeting with Fox Footy power brokers on Tuesday.
But the Herald Sun said on Tuesday he could opt to go into broadcasting, after meeting Foxtel boss Patrick Delaney and Fox Sports CEO Steve Crawley.
The trio were pictured enjoying a coffee alongside former Richmond ace Jack Riewoldt and Martin’s manager Carr.
Both Carr and Fox Footy have since broken their silence on the meeting.
“I can confirm that @DustinMartin4 and I had a meeting with Patrick Delany, Steve Crawley and @JackRiewoldt08 of @FOXFOOTY,” Carr wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“At this point, I’m not going to go into details since it was a private discussion, but hopefully we’ll have some news to share when the time is right… RC.”
A Fox Footy spokesperson also told Daily Mail Australia: “We are aware of speculation surrounding Dustin Martin and Ralph Carr attending a recent meeting with Foxtel Group chief executive Patrick Delany, the CEO of Fox Sports. Steve Crawley, and Fox Footy expert Jack Riewoldt.
‘While we can confirm that this meeting took place, we are not yet in a position to comment further.
‘Fox Footy holds regular meetings with current and retired champions of the game and we are always committed to bolstering what is already an unparalleled pool of live talent to enhance the viewing experience for subscribers.
Carr (right) has broken his silence amid speculation that the meeting with Fox representatives Patrick Delany and Steve Crawley took place.
Carr said of the rumors that his team will “hopefully have some news to share when the time is right.”
But some fans have questioned the potential career change, pointing out that Martin has been reluctant to speak to the media during his distinguished career.
“In recent weeks, Fox Footy has recruited respected experts Shaun Burgoyne and Tom Hawkins, who will play pivotal roles in our Super Saturday Live coverage next year.”
Martin is revered in the AFL as one of the best players to appear in the game in the last decade.
The inside midfielder helped spearhead Tiger victories in 2017, 2019 and 2020 and during his brilliant career he would win four all-Australian blazers, the Leigh Matthews Trophy and be crowned Brownlow Medalist in 2017.
Throughout his career, Martin has always been reluctant to appear in front of a camera or speak to the media.
While it is still unclear whether Martin will end up working in broadcast media, some AFL experts and fans online have weighed in on the speculation, questioning whether his potential new career move was the right choice.
Speaking on SEN radio on Wednesday, Cameron Mooney and Sam Edmund pointed out how camera shy Martin has been in the past.
“So the guy who spends his entire life as a football recluse, avoiding and hating the media, doing everything he can to avoid them – which is ultimately his prerogative – but to turn around, if this story is true, and then to consider doing something like living off the same football media, I think it’s the stupidest thing I’ve read this year, maybe in several years,” Edmund said.
I can’t understand it. Could there be a bigger case of sports hypocrisy than if he did a show on Fox or joined the commentary team? It can’t be true.
Social media users expressed their opinion about Martin’s possible career change.
Martin had announced his retirement from professional football in August but was linked with a shock return to join the Gold Coast Suns.
‘If not, then forget everything I have said. But he knows the job description, right? If you want to follow this path you will have to talk.’
Mooney, however, was hopeful that Martin could prove his doubters wrong.
“We don’t know exactly what it is,” he said. ‘It’s probably more of a special role (special comments). Maybe you’ve been saying, “I’ve been waiting and waiting and then I’ll go out and bang, and I’ll be the most talkative man on television.” “They will have to come out and explain exactly what this role entails.”
Mooney then wryly joked: “I can’t wait for him to go out and make you all eat your words when he goes out and gets the first interview with a player.” I assure you, this is the Dusty we have all been waiting for.
But some X fans claimed the potential career change “will be a disaster.”
“The guy barely spoke during his playing career and now he wants to comment,” said another, adding a “thinking emoji.”
‘Do you realize you’re going to have to talk and stuff?’ asked another.
“How will he balance this with playing for GC (Gold Coast)?” a fan asked former AFL player David Schwarz wryly.
“If Dustin Martin turns out to be somewhere between okay and okay in this role, it would be the biggest shock/surprise in the recorded history of mankind.” Another user X wrote.
Speculation had also arisen that Martin could rekindle his playing career by joining former coach Damien Hardwick at the Gold Coast.
But the 33-year-old appeared to pour cold water on that speculation, telling reporters at the Richmond Best and Fairest Awards that he was “happily retired”.