DUSTIN MARTIN CAPS OFF PERFECT WEEK BY BEING VOTED IN AS GOLD COAST COACH

Geoff Stone

Martin pushes Ablett back to Geelong.

Premiership player, Brownlow medallist and Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin has added to the list of accolades he has won this week after being unanimously voted in as senior coach by the Gold Coast board.

Since Rodney Eade's departure before the season's end, Dean Solomon took over as caretaker coach of the Gold Coast Suns with limited success. Rumours have been rife as to who might be taking the top job at Gold Coast, as of yet the only new position made available this year in the sometimes volatile world of AFL coaching. While his name had not been previously mentioned, Gold Coast board member Tim Parks made it clear that in the end there was no other choice.

"We watched in wonder as Dustin Martin grabbed the finals by the throat. We heard commentators repeatedly ask if there was anything he couldn't do. Well, we figure maybe there isn't, so why not give him a shot at coaching a bunch of players who barely want to be here?

"He'll still be a player for Richmond, obviously, but on our gamedays he can watch on the AFL app and give us a call if he thinks we should change anything. If anyone doesn't agree with our decision, all I can say is...don't argue! Hahahahahahahahaha...(starts coughing)...I think I'm choking.

"Whatever the results, he'll be a great media spokesperson for us."

While opinion may be divided and some are reserving judgement, the Gold Coast board and Martin have found a keen supporter and advocate for their decision in media stalwart Bruce McAvaney, who popped up from behind an office fern to make comment on Martin.

"Every now and then a personality comes along that grabs the imagination of all people in the sporting community. From a life of hardship and obstacles Dustin Martin, or 'Dusty' to all of us, has overcome and exceeded all of our expectations. Watching him break tackles, explode through the centre and kick a trademark goal from 50, you just get the feeling that you're witnessing greatness, don't you?" said McAvaney before awkwardly invading our personal space and dribbling onto his own shoes.

Gold Coast's pre-season isn't expected to begin until early December.

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