AFL star Dustin Martin’s father Shane Martin proud of his ‘historic’ son

The New Zealand father of AFL star soccer player Dustin Martin has shared how proud he is of his “historic” son after last night’s big win.

Former gang member Shane Martin watched the match with a group of friends at a bar in Mount Maunganui last night and said he felt “on top of the world” after the final big win.

Dustin Martin claimed the Norm Smith medal for the third time, the first in history to do so, after Richmond posted a 31-point victory over Geelong.

But the intoxicating victory did not get in the way of the champion’s priorities: He was quick to call his father in New Zealand, who had been watching the game with bated breath.

“We talked to him after the game, but as usual, everything is loud, you can’t hear things but you can hear how excited he was.”

Martin said his son had also called him right before the game, as he does before every game.

“I say the usual, just ‘do it hard’ and ‘good luck’.”

Martin said it was “stressful” most of the day waiting for the game to start, though the nerves eased a bit when Dustin entered the field.

“It’s pretty hard to see it on TV when it should be there, really, but that’s another story.

“It’s still a proud moment, but I would have loved to be there, but yeah, you know, it is what it is, I don’t want to take the moment away from it.”

Martin was deported to New Zealand in April 2016 under Australia’s Immigration Act for bad character, as the country launched a new offensive against motorcycle gangs.

He was a high-ranking member of Australia’s Rebels motorcycle gang and had lived in New South Wales since he was 20, after moving from Huntly in 1989.

He has been denied re-entry to Australia, which means he is separated from his family. Covid-19 border closures have also prevented his family from visiting him in New Zealand.

Despite disappointment at not being able to see the game in person, Martin said he “couldn’t be a prouder father.”

“Dustin is quite humble. Even though he is the best player on the team, it still takes the whole team to win.”

He described Dustin as a “legend.”

“He still has a few years to go, so who knows what he’s going to do. He’s already made history.”

Martin said that many people did not realize that he and his loved ones were “a united family.”

“I love him with all my heart. I am very, very proud. He is my little man.

“We are pretty close, Dustin and I.”

Martin said it had been quite difficult not to see his family for the past six months as the pandemic swept the world. Hopefully Dustin would get clearance to enter New Zealand next month for a visit.

“I hope the borders will open and I will see my other children and my wife.”