Dustin Martin
A transformative Australian rules footballer whose brutal elegance and clutch performances redefined midfield power and led Richmond to a modern dynasty.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Australian rules footballer·Birthday: June 26·Millennials
Biography
Dustin Martin didn't just play Australian rules football; he imposed his will on it. Born in 1991 in New Zealand, 'Dusty' moved to Victoria as a teenager, his talent immediately obvious. Drafted third overall by Richmond in 2009, he arrived as a bullocking midfielder with a lethal kick. What followed was a career of relentless evolution. Under coach Damien Hardwick, Martin became the prototype of the modern superstar: a midfielder who could burst from stoppages, kick goals from impossible angles, and shrug off tackles with a combination of strength and balletic poise. His peak from 2017 to 2020 is the stuff of legend, culminating in an unprecedented trio of Norm Smith Medals for best on ground in Richmond's Grand Final victories. In those decisive moments, he played with a chilling, focused intensity that broke games open. More than his individual accolades—three premierships, a Brownlow Medal—Martin's legacy is his role in transforming Richmond from a struggling club into a feared dynasty, embodying a new brand of powerful, finals-hardened football.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Dustin was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dustin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Dustin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the AFL's highest individual honor, the Brownlow Medal, in 2017.
- Is the only player in history to win three Norm Smith Medals as best on ground in a Grand Final (2017, 2019, 2020).
- A key figure in Richmond's three premierships in four years (2017, 2019, 2020).
- Named AFL Players Association MVP in 2017.
Did You Know?
He is of Māori descent (Ngāpuhi iwi) and was born in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Martin is known for his distinctive 'don't argue' fend-off, a technique for pushing away tacklers.
He has a large tattoo of his father's face on his back, with the words 'Dad I love you.'
He briefly took a break from football in 2021 following the death of his father.
“I just love playing footy. I love the contest, I love the battle, I love my teammates.”
