Dustin Martin breaks silence on rumours he could come OUT of retirement as Richmond legend gives two-word verdict on reunion with Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast

Dustin Martin has thrown cold water on claims that he could be set to come out of retirement and reunite with former Richmond boss Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast during the Tigers’ best and fairest awards on Tuesday night.

There were emotional scenes when Martin, 33, hung up his boots at the end of the 2024 season, calling time on a glittering 15-year career that saw him clinch three premierships with Richmond, three Norm Smith medals and the 2017 Brownlow medal.

In recent weeks, speculation had gathered though that the legendary midfielder could return to the AFL for a swansong, but not with the Tigers.

Rumours gathered that Martin could be set to move up north to join former coach Hardwick on the Gold Coast, with the Suns subsequently releasing a statement that Martin had spoken to the club.

‘We can confirm that Dustin has had a conversation with the club and we will both be engaging in further conversations to work out whether it’s a good fit for the Gold Coast Suns and for Dustin,’ Suns football boss Wayne Campbell said to The Age in September.

Martin and Hardwick hold a close relationship, with the Suns boss claiming the 33-year-old was the ‘best player he has coached’ following his retirement.

Speculation had arisen that he could join up with ex-Tigers coach Damien Hardwick 

The pair were pivotal in helping spearhead Richmond to their triple-premiership dynasty

Despite that, it appears the three-time flag winner will not be returning to the AFL.

During Richmond’s best and fairest awards at Crown Melbourne on Tuesday, Martin said to 9News Melbourne, when pressed on his retirement, that he was ‘happily retired’.

With the delisted free agency period set to take place in the first two weeks of November, Martin still has a month to change his mind on his current stance.

Earlier this year, Hardwick had also added fuel to the rumours that Martin could move to the Suns.

‘Dustin’s a contracted player at Richmond. That’s obviously for Dustin to decide and Richmond to work their way through,’ he said during a press conference in March.

‘He’s a really, really good player, there’s no doubt about that, and every single club would be crazy if they didn’t sit there and at some stage make an assessment.

But Martin has now claimed that he is ‘happily retired’ amid reports that he could be set to return to pro footy

Hardwick (right) had also admitted last year that the Suns could be interested in signing Martin

Martin has until the delisted free agency period in November to weigh up a sensational return to the AFL  

‘Like 17 other clubs, we’re always looking for good players.

‘Gold Coast is no different. Those list management calls will get made at the back end of the year.’

But long-time friend, team-mate and mentor, Trent Cotchin, delivered his verdict on the chances of Martin coming out of retirement. 

‘I think there is a zero to one per cent chance that he pulls on a Suns guernsey or any other guernsey for that matter,’ Cotchin said.

‘But, in saying that, you can understand why the likes of a Gold Coast and ‘Dimma’ [Hardwick] are teasing the idea of maybe it eventuating.

‘I don’t know why, and maybe you guys have different opinions on whether it does help their footy club, but they’re not in finals, they’re in the paper every single day and it builds awareness of their footy club.’