Dustin Martin has shown that below the rugged exterior of sleeve and neck tattoos and beneath his immense and perhaps unmatched talent beats an extremely kind heart.
The Richmond champion has created a strong bond and friendship with a young fan, Will Murray, who suffered a devastating injury jumping off a pier in 2016 that left him a quadriplegic.
Murray was waiting for his hero following his conquest in the AFL Grand Final last month, where Martin presented his young friend with his Norm Smith medal for being the best player on the ground, a prize Murray still proudly holds.
‘I definitely didn’t expect to have the Norm Smith around my neck, or to still have it. But I feel very privileged,’ he told the Herald Sun.
Dustin Martin has created a strong bond and friendship with a young fan, Will Murray, who suffered a devastating injury jumping off a pier in 2016 that left him a quadriplegic
Murray suffered the neck injury in Half Moon Bay in Victoria last year. His family and the Richmond Football Club rallied around the 15-year-old, with he and Dusty striking up a particularly close friendship
Murray suffered the neck injury in Half Moon Bay in Victoria last year. His family and the Richmond Football Club rallied around the 15-year-old, with he and Dusty striking up a particularly close friendship.
The Tigers superstar now makes weekly visits, even before games, having intense FIFA sessions and meditating together.
He was Martin’s guest of honour at the MCG for the arguably the biggest day in each of their lives, and the two shared an emotional moment following the game where the midfielder gave his young friend his medal.
The Tigers superstar now makes weekly visits, even before games, having intense FIFA sessions and meditating together
He was Martin’s guest of honour at the MCG for the arguably the biggest day in each of their lives, and the two shared an emotional moment following the game where the midfielder gave his young friend his medal
Murray says it is locked up safely, away from the prying minds of his jealous friends, but promises to return it to its rightful owner.
‘It’s in safe keeping all right, no one will be able to come and snatch it off me,’ Murray said.
‘But I’m not going to keep it, it’s his, he should celebrate it.’
Dusty’s dad wasn’t surprised when he learned of the news, saying it was him ‘all over’.
‘That’s a beautiful thing to do, it makes Will feel special and it wouldn’t even phase Dustin that he gave away the medal, he’d rather see that he made him happy.