Dustin Martin: What He Does Now, Net Worth & Retirement

Few AFL players leave a mark quite like Dustin Martin — three premierships, three Norm Smith Medals, and a Brownlow. But when the 302-game Richmond legend hung up his boots in August 2024, the question on everyone’s mind was: what comes next for a man who defined a generation of footy? This article tracks where Martin is now, how he’s spending his post-retirement life, and what fans can expect from the Tigers’ most decorated star.

AFL career span: 2010–2024 ·
Games played (Richmond): 302 ·
Premierships won: 3 (2017, 2019, 2020) ·
Norm Smith Medals: 3 (2017, 2019, 2020) ·
Brownlow Medal: 1 (2017)

Six key facts paint a clear picture of the man behind the headlines.

What does Dustin Martin do now?

Return to Richmond as a mentor

• In June 2026, Martin walked back through the doors of Punt Road Oval — not as a player, but as a mentor for Richmond’s next generation (AFL.com.au (the league’s official website)).
• Richmond assistant coach Chris Newman helped organise visits from club legends, including Martin, to speak with the young group (AFL.com.au).

The implication: Martin’s presence gives the Tigers’ emerging midfielders a direct line to a three-time Norm Smith winner. Richmond’s rebuild gains a living example of what premiership footy looks like.

Business ventures and partnerships

• Martin reportedly partnered with Trademark Skincare, though details remain thin (Instagram (social media platform)).
• His property portfolio, built through the Butler Corporation joint venture with manager Ralph Carr, likely exceeds A$12 million in assets, according to realestate.com.au (Australian property listing platform).

Why did Dustin Martin retire from the AFL?

Physical toll and body readiness

• Martin announced his retirement effective 6 August 2024, ending a 15-season career (AFL.com.au; The Guardian (UK-based news outlet)).
• He cited a desire to exit on his own terms after 302 games for the Tigers (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Decision timing and legacy

• Rumours swirled in October 2024 when Martin met Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick, his former premiership mentor, but Martin stated he would stay retired (ABC News (Australian public broadcaster)).

The pattern: Martin chose to leave before his body forced him out. His three premierships and three Norm Smith Medals — the most for any player in grand final history — ensure his legacy was already secure.

How much money does Dustin Martin have?

AFL salary history

• Martin signed a multi-year deal that made him one of the highest-paid players in AFL history (AFL.com.au).

Endorsements and business income

• Beyond his playing contract, Martin built a property portfolio through Butler Corporation, a joint venture with manager Ralph Carr, co-owning commercial properties in Richmond (Daily Mail Australia).
• Realestate.com.au estimates the portfolio is worth at least A$12 million (realestate.com.au).

Where does Dustin Martin live and what is his background?

Current residence

• Martin resides in Melbourne, Australia, and remains closely tied to the Richmond community (Wikipedia).

Ethnicity and family origins

• His mother is of New Zealand Māori descent, and his father is of European ancestry (Wikipedia).
• Martin was born in New Zealand on 26 June 1991 before moving to Australia at a young age.

The catch: While his Māori heritage has been celebrated, Martin has never publicly leaned into it as a defining part of his public identity. That quietness is consistent with the private person he has always been.

For Richmond’s young midfielders, having Martin in the room is a chance to absorb lessons from a three-time Norm Smith winner. But the real test comes on game day — translating that mentor’s insight into on-field performance. For the Tigers’ rebuild, the choice is clear: lean into Martin’s experience, or risk letting the most decorated player of his era become just a memory.