Richmond superstar Dustin Martin looks to be peaking at the business end of the season.
Martin was brilliant in the Tigers’ authoritative victory over Collingwood at the MCG last Friday night.
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The 2017 Brownlow Medallist put his stamp on the match right from the outset, handling the wet conditions with aplomb.
He had a team-high and season-high 38 disposals, with 14 contested possessions, eight inside-50s four clearances, 11 score involvements, 663 metres gained, took six marks and kicked two goals.
After receiving four votes in the AFL Coaches’ Association Player of the Year Award for his Round 18 performance against Port Adelaide, Martin is sure to feature prominently in the Round 19 votes.
Although Martin appears primed for a big finish to the 2019 season, it’s not as though he has been struggling throughout the year.
He is averaging 26.6 disposals per match, 5.2 inside-50s, 4.4 clearances, 4.2 marks and has kicked 16 goals from his 17 games.
Competition-wide, he is ranked seventh for inside-50s, ninth for goal assists, 10th for centre clearances and 11th for score involvements.
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Martin is unfairly judged these days because of what he produced in 2017 – one of the most outstanding individual seasons in AFL/VFL history.
It is fair to say, however, that ‘mere mortal’ Dusty is still mighty good. And it’s also fair to say he may well hit lofty heights again in the big weeks remaining this season.
