Dynamic, young Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin was rewarded for his excellent performance against West Coast at a rain-soaked Patersons Stadium last Friday night with nine votes in the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year award.
Martin maintained the impressive level of consistency he’s displayed throughout the 2014 season, collecting 25 disposals, including 12 contested possessions, six clearances and two crucial goals in the Tigers’ 17-point win.
Respective coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Adam Simpson (Hawthorn) awarded Martin the equal most votes in the Round 18 clash, with Eagles midfielder Matthew Priddis also receiving nine.
The nine votes took Martin’s total in the prestigious individual award for 2014 to 43, with five rounds to go. He has polled the most votes of any Tiger player this year (three ahead of captain Trent Cotchin).
To further underline the impact tenacious ‘ball-magnet’ midfielder Anthony Miles has had in his first season at Richmond, he earned votes in the coaches award for the fourth time in just seven senior appearances with the Tigers.
Miles picked up three votes for a display that netted him 21 disposals, including 15 contested possessions, nine clearances and a goal.
Other Tiger players to poll in last Friday night’s game were Brandon Ellis (three), Brett Deledio (two), Nathan Foley (two) and Bachar Houli (two).
