Hey

I know many of you are hurting right now.

Not a ‘someone is tattooing my neck’ sort of pain but real pain all the same.

Sort of a ‘missing the finals twelve years in a row only to then make it and get bundled out by a team who didn’t even make the finals’ sort of pain.

Many, if not all of you, may be wondering why I’ve decided to look at offers from other clubs.

The answer is simple: due diligence.

You see, I’m a professional. You can tell just by looking at me.

Other players might treat the AFL as a bit of a lark, staying up late, misbehaving or getting stupid haircuts.

But not D Martin.

I manage my career. I’ve got ten to fifteen years to make as much money as I can before a career in academia or the business world.

Dustin Martin is a brand and a business and I must strive to unlock value every single day.

It’s why I always carefully consider my image. I’m a role model for children and I want to set a healthy, positive example.

Stay in school and don’t take drugs kids. All that stuff.

To be honest, Richmond’s brand has never really matched mine. Do I look like a Richmond supporter? Have you seen them?

They are genuinely scary. It’s that haunted look in the eyes from years of having your hopes and dreams crushed.

All those tattoos too.

I’m sure all Tigers fans support my decision to look around. After all, you, like me, are from the rational choice school of economic theory.

At least, I’m sure you would be if you could understand it.

How could I look any Richmond fan in the eye if they knew I’d just signed a new contract with Richmond without testing the market? They would have been furious at the lack of business acumen.

I knew you’d understand.

Anyway, I have to run as Mick Malthouse has rung me eighteen times just as I’ve been writing this.

So long and all the best

Dusty

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