Dustin Martin is in his best form since Richmond’s 2020 premiership year.
The Tigers superstar has produced good performances right throughout the 2023 season, but he’s gone to another level in his past four games (v Fremantle, Round 13, v St Kilda, Round 14, v Sydney, Round 17 and v West Coast, Round 18), averaging 28.5 disposals, 4.7 marks, 6.7 inside-50s, 4.7 clearances, 8.7 score involvements, 4.0 stoppage clearances and 464.5 metres gained.
In the one match he missed during that time – Round 16 against Brisbane at the Gabba due to illness – Richmond suffered an 81-point loss.
Martin played a key role in the Tigers’ 38-point victory over the Eagles at Optus Stadium yesterday with 23 disposals, nine contested possessions, eight marks, four marks inside 50, six inside-50s, four clearances, two goals, two goal assists, 10 score involvements and 483 metres gained.
He is one of only four players in the competition so far this season to be averaging more than 20 disposals (22.5) and one goal (1.1) per game.
The other players in this elite category are Martin’s Tiger teammate Shai Bolton (22.4 disposals, 1.2 goals), Melbourne’s Christian Petracca and Port Adelaide’s Connor Rozee.