Martin, Hawkins call time on glittering AFL careers

Two greats of the AFL announced their retirement on Tuesday, with Richmond’s Dustin Martin and Geelong’s Tom Hawkins both deciding to hang up the boots.

Martin bows out as one of the game’s most decorated midfielders, having won both the Norm Smith Medal and Gary Ayres Medal in all three of the Tigers’ successful premiership campaigns between 2017 and 2020.

‘Dusty’ also won the Brownlow Medal, Leigh Matthews Trophy and AFLCA award in 2017, to go with two best-and-fairest gongs and four All-Australian guernseys in a career spanning 15 seasons.

The 31-year-old from Castlemaine retires effective immediately after 302 games and 338 goals for Richmond.

The news comes amid a difficult season for the Tigers, who are $1.10 favourites with Marantelli Bet to claim the wooden spoon.

Hawkins, meanwhile, will walk away at the end of the 2024 AFL season.

The 36-year-old forward has been an integral part of Geelong’s success in the 21st century, winning three premierships during his 18-season career.

Hawkins has booted 796 majors across his 359 games in the AFL, finishing as the club’s leading goalkicker on 11 occasions.

He is a five-time All-Australian and won Geelong’s best-and-fairest award in 2012.

With the Cats sitting fifth on the AFL ladder after 21 rounds, ‘Tomahawk’ has a chance to add another premiership to his long list of achievements.

Hawkins has been sidelined with a foot injury since June, but it is expected he will be available for the finals series.

AFL bookmakers have Geelong at $13 to win the flag in 2024, while Chris Scott’s men are paying $2 to finish in the top four.

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