Dynamic Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin has soared into equal third place in the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year award for 2016 following another excellent performance, in the Tigers’ Round 16 clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.
Martin had an equal career-high 38 disposals, including 16 contested possessions, a team-high eight clearances, six inside-50s, a game-high 536 metres gained, nine score involvements and five tackles.
He was duly awarded eight votes from respective coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Luke Beveridge (Western Bulldogs), to take his overall season’s tally to 64, level with Geelong captain Joel Selwood and just 12 behind the leader, Adelaide star Rory Sloane on 76.
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin was the only other Tiger to poll coaches votes in Round 16.
Cotchin received one vote after finishing the match with 28 disposals, including 11 contested possessions, a game-high seven inside-50s, six clearances, seven score involvements, 501 metres gained and five tackles.
Full voting details for the Round 16 Richmond v Western Bulldogs match are . . .
10 – Marcus Bontempelli (W. Bulldogs)
8 – Dustin Martin (Richmond)
4 – Easton Wood (W. Bulldogs)
3 – Jack Macrae (W. Bulldogs)
2 – Matthew Boyd (W. Bulldogs)
2 – Lachie Hunter (W. Bulldogs)
1 – Trent Cotchin (Richmond)