Star Richmond duo Dustin Martin and Shane Edwards were the equal leading vote-getters in the AFL Coaches’ Association’s Gary Ayres Award’s voting for the Tigers v Brisbane Lions qualifying final at the Gabba last Saturday.
They both received nine votes from rival coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Chris Fagan (Brisbane) for their brilliant performances and the significant impact they had in the Tigers’ 47-point win.
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Martin, who won this award in 2017, kicked an AFL equal career-high six goals playing predominantly up forward.
Edwards finished the match with 29 disposals, 18 contested possessions, eight clearances, five intercepts, six marks, six tackles, one goal and 407 metres gained.
Gun Richmond defender Dylan Grimes was rewarded for another excellent display – 12 disposals, six marks, seven rebound-50s and 10 intercepts – with four votes.
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And top Tiger midfielder Dion Prestia polled two votes following his quality performance – 32 disposals, 19 contested possessions, eight clearances, five inside-50s, four rebound-50s, six score involvements, 10 tackles and 544 metres gained.
Full voting details for the Richmond v Brisbane qualifying final are:
9 – Dustin Martin (Richmond)
9 – Shane Edwards (Richmond)
4 – Dylan Grimes (Richmond)
3 – Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
3 – Luke Hodge (Brisbane)
2 – Dion Prestia (Richmond)