Richmond’s dynamic midfield duo, Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin, dominated the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year award voting for the Round 17 clash with Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.
Cotchin and Martin received nine votes apiece from respective coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Chris Fagan (Brisbane) following the major impact they both had in the Tigers’ 31-point win.
The Richmond skipper finished with 28 disposals, including 15 contested possessions, five inside-50s, a game-high 10 score involvements, game-high five score assists, one goal, four marks, six tackles and a total of 354 metres gained.
Martin, who is currently second in the prestigious coaches’ award, had a game-high 40 disposals, including a game-high 18 contested possessions, game-high 14 clearances, game-high eight centre clearances, game-high 12 inside-50s, game-high 15 score involvements, two goals, four marks and a game-high 607 metres gained.
The Tigers’ prized mature-age midfield recruit Dion Prestia was awarded six votes for his excellent run-with role on Brisbane star Dayne Zorko.
Prestia not only nullified Zorko’s influence, he had 19 disposals himself, including five inside-50s, three clearances, five score involvements, a goal, plus four tackles and 482 metres gained.
Shane Edwards was the other Tiger to poll in the AFLCA award for Round 17.
He was given one vote for his valuable contribution in the encounter with the Lions – 21 disposals, nine score involvements, three score assists, one goal, three clearances, three marks and 347 metres gained.
Full voting details for the Round 17 Richmond v Brisbane match are . . .
9 – Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
9 – Dustin Martin (Richmond)
6 – Dion Prestia (Richmond)
2 – Harris Andrews (Brisbane)
2 – Daniel McStay (Brisbane)
1 – Shane Edwards (Richmond)
1 – Alex Witherden (Brisbane)