It’s quickly becoming the Richmond Tigers dynasty that Dustin Martin built as the superstar claimed his third Norm Smith Medal by putting on a masterclass in Saturday night’s AFL Grand Final.
Martin claimed all five three-point votes as the unanimous winner of the best on ground award as Richmond beat Geelong by 31 points in Brisbane.
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The Tigers have now claimed three titles in four years, coming from 22 points down just before halftime to topple the Cats.
But in the decider of a season unlike any other, it appeared the 12.9 (81) to 7.8 (50) win meant more than most.
While there have been plenty of questions over whether the 2020 season would be tarred with an asterisk in the history books, the look on the face of Martin when he embraced Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said it all.
After being quarantined in the AFL bubble for nearly 110 days, the relief was clear on Martin’s face as he rested his head on his coach’s shoulder.
Social media was quick to react to the image and the Tigers’ incredible achievement.
After the presentation, Martin still didn’t know what to say.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” he said on Channel 7. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just so grateful to be a part of such an unbelievable group. I’m lost for words to be honest.
“It’s been a tough road. I couldn’t be prouder of the way we faced a bit of adversity this year and the way we stuck at it. That’s why we’re a great club.”
Martin became just the second player behind Barry Cable to have 20 disposals and multiple goals in three Grand Finals, as he booted four majors to go with 21 touches.
The result sees Martin become the first three-time winner of the Norm Smith Medal after a virtuoso performance.
He kicked his first major to get the Tigers back into the game after dropping 22 points behind in the second quarter.
Martin also landed a massive goal to snatch the lead in the third term, before wrapping it up with two late goals in the fourth, kicking from beyond the 50m arc into an empty goalsquare with just under eight minutes left before snapping around the corner to make it a 30-point game with a minute remaining.
SEN’s Gerard Whateley said it best: “Dusty in a Grand Final, it’s just the vibe.”
Social media went insane for the biggest of big game players as he came up huge again.
2011 Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan said: “There is now clearly no doubt about it now that Dustin is the greatest big game player ever. Him and Jordan sit at the same table.”
Newcastle Herald deputy editor Xavier Mardling tweeted: “Clearly the best of Dusty’s three grand finals, I reckon. Hope (Jordan) De Goey is watching. That’s how you earn big money.”
AAP journalist Michael Ramsey added: “Dusty stamps himself as the player of his generation. Incredible and pretty much the difference between these two teams”.
NORM SMITH VOTING
15 - Dustin Martin (Richmond) - 33333
6 - Jayden Short (Richmond) - 222
4 - Shane Edwards (Richmond) - 1111
3 - Mitch Duncan (Geelong) - 21
2 - Nathan Broad (Richmond) - 2
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMilAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9zcG9ydC9hZmwvYXN0ZXJpc2stc21hc2h0ZXJpc2stYXVzdHJhbGlhLXJlYWN0cy10by1zdHVubmluZy1kdXN0aW4tbWFydGluLW1vbWVudC9uZXdzLXN0b3J5L2I4ODk2ODg1ZjIxNTFiMjgxMTU4NTE0ZjQ5NDdlYzVk0gGUAWh0dHBzOi8vYW1wLm5ld3MuY29tLmF1L3Nwb3J0L2FmbC9hc3Rlcmlzay1zbWFzaHRlcmlzay1hdXN0cmFsaWEtcmVhY3RzLXRvLXN0dW5uaW5nLWR1c3Rpbi1tYXJ0aW4tbW9tZW50L25ld3Mtc3RvcnkvYjg4OTY4ODVmMjE1MWIyODExNTg1MTRmNDk0N2VjNWQ?oc=5
2020-10-24 12:22:30Z
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