WHAT better way is there to celebrate a drought-breaking AFL premiership than by naming your newborn son after your favourite player?
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Sound crazy? Not for this Leeton family.
Raymond and Laitsha Rawle welcomed their third son on October 8 – just days after Richmond won the 2017 AFL premiership.
Mr Rawle, a passionate Tigers fan, had already managed to convince his wife to name the bub Dustin, but he managed to go one step further and Dustin Martin Rawle was welcomed into their family.
“I was already sold on Dustin, I quite like the name, but when he wanted the middle name to be Martin I needed a bit more convincing,” Mrs Rawle said.
“I’m not really that much into footy, so I don’t really think about it too much.
“Raymond loves it. He thinks it’s great.”
The “original” Dustin Martin or “Dusty” as he’s known to fans enjoyed his best year to date with Richmond last year.
Not only did his side take out the coveted premiership over the Adelaide Crows, but he also picked up the Brownlow, as well as the Norm Smith Medal on grand final day.
Mr Rawle has been a Richmond supporter from day dot thanks to his own father and it looks as though young Dustin will no doubt be the same.
The pair have two other sons – Jack, 7, and Harry, 3. Both have also been struck with the Richmond fan gene. Dustin is so far making for the perfect baby. He’s happy, his brothers love him and who knows, one day he might follow in his name sake’s footsteps.
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The family know Leeton’s own Richmond premiership player Jacob Townsend well and he is among those who find the name all in good fun.
“Some people when they hear what is name is say ‘oh my gosh’, but then when they get used to it, they think it’s fine,” Mrs Rawle said.
“Most people who are into footy around here are aware of it, but to those who don’t know, it’s just a regular name I guess.
“My due date was actually grand final day, so luckily I went over.”
Not content with naming his son after the cult figure, Mr Rawle would love to one day introduce the two Dustins to each other.