AFL legend Dustin Martin responds to his manager Ralph Carr being found guilty of raping a woman after agent’s identity was unmasked
Former AFL superstar Dustin Martin has ended his long-running professional relationship with prominent sports and entertainment agent Ralph Carr after the 66-year-old was convicted of rape.
Carr, who is also known as Ralph Carnovale-Carr, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following a trial in the Victorian County Court.
His identity had been protected by suppression orders for almost three years, with media previously only permitted to describe him as a ‘well-connected man’.
Carr can now be publicly identified after withdrawing an application to extend the suppression order.
Martin issued a statement on Monday confirming he had immediately severed ties with the manager who helped build his commercial profile during his decorated Richmond career.
‘I was shocked to learn of the outcome of the court proceedings,’ Martin said.
AFL legend Dustin Martin ended his long-running professional relationship with manager Ralph Carr (pictured with the former Richmond star) following the agent’s rape convictions
Carr was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault after a trial
‘I had no knowledge whatsoever of the conduct that led to these convictions. My thoughts are with those affected.
‘Effective immediately, I have ended my professional relationship with my former manager.
‘As this is a legal matter, I will not be making any further comment.’
Carr represented Martin throughout the AFL champion’s rise from a talented Richmond midfielder to one of Australian sport’s most recognisable figures.
Martin enjoyed an extraordinary 2017 season in which he won the Brownlow Medal, Norm Smith Medal, Leigh Matthews Trophy and AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year award.
He also helped Richmond win three premierships and became the first player in AFL history to claim three Norm Smith Medals.
Carr’s management company promoted Martin as a ‘cultural icon’ and a ‘powerful brand’, securing commercial partnerships with major companies including Bonds, Jeep, Voost, Archies and Kennedy Luxury Group.
The agency also claimed Martin’s merchandise and memorabilia had sold more than that of any other player in AFL history.
Martin said he was shocked by the outcome and had no knowledge of the conduct behind Carr’s convictions
The Richmond champion said his thoughts were with those affected before confirming he had immediately severed professional ties
Carr and Martin additionally co-own a portfolio of real estate, including a commercial property recently listed in inner Melbourne.
The convictions relate to an incident at Carr’s Melbourne home in March 2023 after the woman reconnected with him.
The court heard they spent the evening drinking alcohol and consuming cocaine before the woman became emotional.
Prosecutors said Carr hugged her, told her he would take care of her and then began kissing and touching her.
The woman pushed him away and said, ‘I don’t want this’, but Carr continued the assault before raping her twice, the jury was told.
She later contacted her mother and police arrived at Carr’s home during the early hours of March 24.
Carr pleaded not guilty and denied any sexual contact had occurred.
After the jury returned its unanimous verdicts on July 28, his bail was revoked and he was taken into custody.
His barrister, Dermot Dann KC, confirmed Carr maintains his innocence and intends to appeal.
‘We have a situation where our client maintains his innocence,’ Mr Dann said.
‘He will be appealing his conviction on the basis a substantial miscarriage of justice has occurred.’
Carr is expected to return to court for a pre-sentence hearing later in August.
