AFL superstar Dustin Martin spends Christmas with family in Sydney – days after his father Shane tragically died age 54
AFL superstar Dustin Martin has celebrated Christmas in Sydney following the tragic death of his father Shane Martin at age 54,
The Richmond player, 30, travelled to the Harbour City to spend time with his family and friends.
According to the Herald Sun, friends close to Dustin have said he is in good spirits.
Christmas: Richmond star Dustin Martin, 30, (pictured) spent Christmas with family in Sydney – days after tragically losing his father Shane
Dustin’s father Shane died last week New Zealand where he has been living since being deported from Australia on character grounds in 2016.
The cause of death is unknown.
‘The Richmond Football Club can confirm the passing of Shane Martin, the father of player Dustin Martin,’ the club said in a brief statement last Saturday.
Plans: The Richmond player travelled to the Harbour City to spend time with his family and friends
‘The club extends its heartfelt sympathy to Dustin, his brothers Bronson and Tyson and the entire Martin family.’
NZ Police went to a property on the street on which Shane Martin lived, where a man was found dead.
NZ Police said there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
Tragic: Dustin’s father Shane died last week at the age of 54 in New Zealand, where he has been living since being deported from Australia on character grounds in 2016
Richmond granted Dustin Martin permission to fly overseas to visit his father in April when the travel bubble opened.
The pair shared a close bond but had not seen each other for 12 months prior to that visit because of travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
‘It’s been a massive challenge, but it is what it is,’ Martin told Fox Footy in March.
‘I love my dad and he’s made me the man I am today. I’ve got full belief he’ll (be) back here to watch us win another flag.
‘That’s my dream to be able to have the old man up there (in the grandstand) with the rest of my family and watch the Tiges win another flag.’
Final visit: Richmond granted Dustin Martin permission to fly overseas to visit his father in April when the travel bubble opened