The Richmond Football club star and his father, Shane Martin opened up about their bond in separate interviews on the Nine Network's The Footy Show.

Dustin revealed that his dad was his biggest supporter and leaving him in New Zealand earlier this week was one of the hardest moments of his life.

"It's been incredibly hard the last 12 to 18 months not having him here," he said. ???"He'd love to be here and hopefully he is back here soon."

"It's been a pretty emotional week...seeing him (in New Zealand) he was pretty broken."

Dustin Martin, 26, has finally committed to Richmond with an eve-of-finals agreement that has tied him to the club until 2024.

A visibly emotional Shane Martin, a member of the Rebels motorcycle gang, who left Australia voluntarily in March 2016 after Immigration Minister Peter Dutton revoked his residency status, spoke of his pride in his son and said he would fight to be allowed to return to Australia. "Love you son and I'm very proud," Mr Martin said from his home in New Zealand.

Mr Martin has previously said he would take his fight to return to Australia the High Court if necessary and said the weight of Dustin's decision on his football future had taken its toll on the family.

"It's pretty emotional... To see your son developing into something special you know?" he said. "He is a very humble, shy kid, but the Richmond Football Club has been magnificent for him.

"Mate, it's like the biggest decision for him let alone me, but... it's turned out alright."

He also paid tribute to club captain Trent Cotchin.

???"He's an amazing kid, can't thank him enough to be honest," he said.

He also revealed his desire to be back on Australian soil to watch the Brownlow where Dustin is a favourite to win or an AFL football final.

"Definitely hoping so, but we'll just have to go through the procedures and will know more next week as things happen," he said.

"Hopefully I'm back there sitting in the chair next to him."

Dustin also revealed that he had come close to taking North Melbourne's massive offer before he chose to stick with Richmond, making the decision while visiting his father this week.

"Yeah it's a massive relief, I'm sick of people talking about it," Dustin said. "I felt like I was cheating on my girlfriend."

"We flew over to see dad, got a hotel room, bunked up in there and just put it all out on the table and had lengthy conversations and spoke about what I wanted and what would be best for my future."

Dustin said the army of Richmond supporters had also played a role in him deciding to stay and admitted the pressure of the decision.

"This is my dream, hopefully we can win the flag," he said.