'The things that make you happy are friends and family': Footy superstar Dustin Martin reveals he struggled with motivation last season after his bikie-associate father was deported
- Dustin Martin says he is ready to tackle 2019 head on after an unmotivated 2018
- His father, Shane, was exiled to New Zealand from Australia in March 2017
- Martin had a successful year in 2017, winning premiership and Brownlow medal
- He then said 2018 felt 'weird' for him, and didn't know what was next for the year
Football superstar Dustin Martin says he is ready to tackle 2019 head on after struggling with motivation following his bikie-associate father's deportation.
The Richmond star's father Shane Martin was deported to New Zealand from Australia in 2017 under the Immigration Act on 'character grounds'.
His father's 14-year association with the fearsome bikie gang the Rebels, as well as a criminal record that was tainted by aggravated assault charges and drug trafficking, that ultimately led to his banishment.
After having such a successful year in 2017 winning the premiership and the Brownlow Medal as the league's best player, Martin told the Herald Sun he felt 'weird' in 2018.
Football superstar Dustin Martin (pictured) says he is ready to tackle 2019 head on after struggling with motivation following his bikie-associate father's deportation
The Richmond star's father, Shane Martin (pictured left) was deported to New Zealand from Australia in March 2017 under the Immigration Act on 'character grounds'
The 27-year-old AFL star said he had learned a lot from the past year even though he felt unmotivated
The 27-year-old AFL star said he had learned a lot from the past year.
'2018 was a weird feeling (for me). Early in the year. I was like, ''I don't know what is next'',' Martin said.
Although he felt like he lacked motivation and struggled throughout the year, he also realised what was important to him.
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'You think you can win all these things and it is going to make you happy, but the reality is the things that make you happy are your friends and your family and all those kind of things,' Martin said.
Martin ran away with the Brownlow medal in 2017, before leading the Richmond Tigers to the AFL premiership just a few days later.
Dustin paid tribute to his father both during his Brownlow acceptance speech and after winning the grand final, calling him his 'best mate'.
His father Shane failed in his appeal against his deportation in late 2017.
It was his 14-year association with the fearsome bikie gang the Rebels that ultimately led to his banishment
The 27-year-old said he learned a lot from the past year after winning the Brownlow Medal as the AFL's best player in 2017
Martin spent much of the AFL off-season travelling, with a trip around the world alongside Collingwood star Dane Swan and another trip to South America.
The footy star also visited New Zealand on multiple occasions to spent time with his father.
'I am always a pretty motivated person, but subconsciously you might kind of go through the motions a little bit,' he said.
He spent much of the AFL off-season travelling, with a trip around the world alongside former Collingwood star Dane Swan and another trip to South America
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