Dynamic Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin was rewarded for a superb performance against Gold Coast at the MCG last Sunday with maximum votes in the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year award for Round 20.
Martin received 10 votes from respective coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Rodney Eade (Gold Coast) after finishing with an equal game-high 29 disposals, including 11 contested possessions, six clearances, five inside-50s, three goals, plus a team-high six tackles in the Tigers’ 83-point win.
Star Tiger key defender Alex Rance picked up six votes for another top-class display – 24 disposals, including four rebound-50s and nine marks.
Richmond’s mature-age recruit Kane Lambert was given five votes following a display which netted him 27 disposals, including nine contested possessions, an equal team-high six inside-50s, five clearances and two goals.
Talented Tiger youngsters Brandon Ellis and Nick Vlastuin polled three votes apiece for their fine efforts throughout the match.
Ellis had an equal game-high 29 disposals, including five inside-50s and three clearances, along with eight marks.
Vlastuin had 21 disposals and took an equal team-high 10 marks.
Full voting details for the Round 20 Richmond v Hawthorn match are:
10 – Dustin Martin (Richmond)
6 – Alex Rance (Richmond)
5 – Kane Lambert (Richmond)
3 – Brandon Ellis (Richmond)
3 – Nick Vlastuin (Richmond)
2 – Aaron Hall (Gold Coast)
1 – Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
