AFL superstar Dustin Martin spending time in Albany with close mate Michael Gardiner, trains with youngsters

Three-time AFL premiership player and Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin has popped up in WA again, this time during a trip to the Great Southern. Martin has been spotted in Albany over the past week, spending time with close friend and local football product Michael Gardiner. The pair were part of an impromptu training session with aspiring young Great Southern footballers on Monday. A small group of Storm players, the region’s highly successful football development program, were treated to a short training session with Martin and Gardiner at Keep The Sheep Stadium. The pair then chatted to those players in attendance, an experience the Storm said “the players that were able to attend won’t forget”. Both Gardiner and Martin cut impressive figures in photos posted by the Storm after their surprise visit. Martin retired in 2024 after 302 games with Richmond, finishing with three premiership medals and a historic three North Smith Medals. The 34-year-old won the 2017 Brownlow Medal and was a four-time All-Australian with the Tigers after being drafted with the No.3 pick. Having kept a low profile since his AFL retirement, Martin was pictured in Claremont at Revo Fitness Stadium in October last year. A couple of days later he was spotted out for dinner with West Coast Eagles star and dual premiership Tiger Liam Baker, Eagles coach Andrew McQualter and ex-Richmond star Josh Caddy. Caddy is no stranger to the Great Southern, having played two games for Royals last season. Also a dual premiership player with the Tigers, Caddy found his way to the Great Southern after getting a job selling insurance with WA footy great Darrell Panizza who coached the Lions last year.