In the eighth of a richmondfc.com.au post-season special series, focusing on 14 key findings from the Tigers’ 2014 season, we evaluate Dustin Martin’s continued exciting progression.

No. 8:  Dustin Martin enhanced his reputation as a match-winner.

After finishing second in the 2013 Jack Dyer Medal, Dustin Martin took another impressive step in his football development this year.

Crucial to that, was his increased stamina, which enabled him to have a significant influence right throughout games.

Early in the season, when Richmond was really struggling, it was Martin who stood out like a beacon with his imposing form.

Bid on 2014 Richmond signed match-worn guernseys, including Dustin Martin’s

Later on, when the Tigers got their act together, and stormed home to grab a finals berth, Martin had a significant impact deep forward, where his sublime skills in crucial one-on-one contests proved so decisive.

Indeed, a late-season statistical analysis revealed that Martin was far and away the best offensive one-on-one player in the competition. 

He was credited with winning 56% of his one-out battles, which, when you consider the AFL average stood at 26%, is a truly remarkable result.

Grab a bargain online in the Tigerland Superstore’s end of season sale

After the super-talented 23-year-old kicking the match-sealing goal for Richmond, in the dramatic final home-and-away round clash with Sydney at ANZ Stadium, Tiger great Matthew Richardson wrote in hs weekly column for richmondfc.com.au:

“Martin is a major weapon for Richmond because of his incredible ability to win critical one-on-one contests.  We saw it once more on Saturday night, with the match hanging in the balance late in the frantic final term.  Sydney had cut the deficit to just two points and seemed to have all the momentum.  The Tigers desperately needed to find a way to regain the initiative – and that came when Shane Edwards grabbed the ball on the wing and kicked long to Martin, one-out with his experienced opponent, Ted Richards.  Martin, in inimitable style, managed to read the flight of the ball better than Richards, who subsequently fell to ground, enabling the Tiger young gun to gather, compose himself, then run into the open goal and kick the sealer.  It was the third time this season that Martin has managed to do this, which is a really big effort that highlights just how strong he is, and how much he thrives on pressure.”

Martin averaged a career-high 25.4 disposals per match throughout 2014, was ranked second in the competition for total kicks, 12^th for uncontested possessions, kicked 27 goals, and was named in the initial All-Australian 40-player squad, to cap off his best season of league football.