Dustin Martin’s bikie father has been seen watching his AFL star son play in the Grand Final from a dingy bar in New Zealand after being deported from Australia.
Shane Martin, 52, was sent back to his country of birth in 2016 with a criminal record including drug trafficking and assault charges.
Shane was spotted watching his son take on the GWS Giants from the bar of The Right Track, a dingy sports pub in Auckland on Saturday afternoon.
The former Rebels bikie was not alone though, and was seen laughing and talking to Hollywood actress Rachel Griffiths, with his arm around her shoulders.
Dustin Martin’s bikie father Shane has been captured watching his AFL star son play in the Grand Final from a dingy bar in New Zealand after being deported from Australia, alongside Hollywood star Rachel Griffiths
The pair were seen talking and laughing as Martin’s son led the Richmond Tigers to victory on Saturday
Ms Griffiths said on Instagram she had low hopes for her grand final celebrations before heading in to The Right Track
She said she was excited to see it was none other than Dustin Martin’s father hosting the party, and the pair’s passion for the game appeared to help them form a quick bond
Martin was seen watching the game alongside a hooked crowd (pictured right)
He said it would be hard not being at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch Richmond star Dustin, 27, lead the Tigers to glory.
‘It’s pretty hard not to be there but it is what it is,’ he told the Herald Sun on Friday.
‘I’m very proud, words can’t explain it to be honest,’ he said.
Ms Griffiths appeared to be one of many who benefited from Shane’s exile, noting she had low expectations for grand final day overseas.
‘When you fear you are not going to feel the atmosphere of the AFL grand finale [sic] in Auckland, so you find a sports bar and realise DUSTY MARTIN’s dad is throwing the party,’ she captioned a photograph of the pair, shared to Instagram.
The pair were seen chuckling as Shane’s son led the Richmond Tigers to victory
Shane Martin, 52, was sent back to his country of birth in 2016 with a criminal record including drug trafficking and assault charges
Dustin Martin’s father watched on as he scored the first goal for Richmond Football Club in a tense and low-scoring first quarter
Asked if he would like to watch Dustin play in the future, he said: ‘I’d love to, that is what fathers do and what dreams are made of – watching your sons be who they are.’
Dustin Martin was asked after the grand final if he had any family in the stadium watching on, and used the opportunity to thank his father for his support.
‘Dad’s watching on from New Zealand, shout out to you dad,’ he said.
Shane was born in New Zealand but considered Australia home after moving to New South Wales at age 20.
He joined the notorious Rebels outlaw motorcycle gang, eventually rising to the role of club president.
Shane had three children in Australia including Richmond Tigers AFL superstar Dustin.
The exterior of the Right Track Sports Bar Aucklund where Shane Martin is watching his AFL star son play for Richmond against GWS Giants in the Grand Final
Shane (left) was born in New Zealand but considered Australia home after moving to New South Wales at age 20. Pictured with Dustin (right)
In 2016, he was kicked out by then Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and was forced to build a new life for himself in Auckland.
A 14-year association with the Rebels, as well as a criminal record that included aggravated assault charges and drug trafficking, led to his banishment.
In his book titled A Rebel In Exile, Shane documents the time Dustin asked him for advice on whether or not to get a tattoo.
He also recounts the time Dustin, who frequently flies out to New Zealand to visit him, asked him for help with his anxiety.
‘Dad, I’m getting bad anxiety, I need to get help. Can you come with me to the doctor?’ Dustin said.
While Shane told Dustin ‘of course’ he’ll come, Dustin responded by asking his father to keep his revelation private.
When the pair visited a medical professional the Richmond Football Club player was prescribed medication to treat anxiety and depression.
But according to Shane, the duo were concerned the drugs might have an adverse effect on Dustin’s ability to play football, although the professional advised them it wouldn’t.
Shane said it will be hard not being at the MCG to watch Dustin (pictured in Bali), 27, take on the GWS Giants on Saturday
Shane noted the drugs did not cause any detriment to Dustin’s playing ability, and the drugs actually made his life much easier.
‘Depression and anxiety are pretty common as I discovered. Dusty now knows it’s nothing to be ashamed of,’ he said.
Shane reminisced about another instance in which Dustin had been particularly nervous and needed a little parental reassurance.
It was just before the first game of the season at Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Shane described Dustin as being ‘bloody nervous’.