Dustin Martin is the biggest name in AFL at the moment, and his dominance on the football field is earning him respect across the codes.
The 26-year-old, who sports menacing sleeve tattoos and ink on his neck with a trademark mohawk-mullet, has caught the eye of a high-profile NRL coach.
Parramatta Eels assistant coach Steve Murphy said Martin could easily ‘play rugby league’ after watching his dominating performance on Friday night.
‘He could play rugby league’: AFL star Dustin Martin (right) has caught the eye of a NRL coach
Martin (pictured left, with friend), 26, is the biggest name in AFL at the moment
His dominance on the football field has caught the attention of Parramatta Eels assistant coach Steve Murphy
Martin, who just signed a seven year deal with the Tigers worth a reported $9 million, will likely go on to win the Brownlow medal for 2017.
But Murphy said he could see the AFL star’s skills translate to rugby league.
‘We were channel surfing last night between the two games (NRL and AFL),’ Murphy said on Fox Sports News’ Gameday Live on Saturday.
‘I was very impressed by Dusty – the ‘Painted Warrior’, as he was called.
‘How good was he? He could play rugby league, I think. The way he uses his upper body and his fend, it was a bit like Latrell Mitchell’s fend.
‘He was pushing them away and he had plenty of disposals. He’d certainly equip himself.’
The next Latrell Mitchell? Murphy said Martin’s upper body strength reminded him of the young gun from the Sydney Roosters
Martin, who just signed a seven year deal with the Tigers worth a reported $9 million, will likely win the Brownlow medal for 2017
Murphy sports menacing sleeve tattoos and ink on his neck with a trademark mohawk-mullet
Martin played a key role in the Tigers’ finals performance, notching up 28 disposals and 12 score involvements to see his team through to the preliminary finals.
His name has made headlines for more than just his football performance this week, after his father Shane was deported from Australia.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton pushed through an amendment to the Migration Act this week, locking Mr Martin and 20 others out of the country, the Herald Sun reported.
The laws were passed on Monday and signed off by Governor-General Peter Cosgrove in anticipation of a High Court decision, according to the paper.
Mr Dutton’s office said Mr Martin’s visa was cancelled because of his criminal record and ‘association with outlaw motorcycle gangs’.
‘If I was a threat to Australia, wouldn’t you think I’d be locked up, wouldn’t you think I wouldn’t be allowed to walk around in any other country,’ Mr Martin told Neil Mitchell.
Making headlines for the wrong reasons: Dustin Martin’s father Shane has been deported from Australia on the basis of his criminal record and ‘association with motorcycle gangs’
‘I was very impressed by Dusty – the ‘Painted Warrior’, as he was called,’ said NRL coach Steve Murphy