Dustin Martin [merged]

[one-eyed]

Who can go the distance with Tiger Dustin Martin?

Michael Gleeson
The Age
9 September 2019

There are few players who can match up on Dustin Martin. Put another way, Dustin Martin needs a few players to match up on him.

Few teams have one player able to break even with Martin in all parts of the ground. He needs two or more players at different times and in different modes – forward or mid. (He might also need a dedicated umpire to keep an eye out for the amusing sleight of hand scoop throw such as he did on Saturday night, allowing Jack Riewoldt to goal.)

When Martin went to the goal square for the second half he drew the honest trier Marcus Adams to the loneliest place in football. From the first centre break the ball went long to them in the goal square. Martin was one out with the taller and presumably stronger Adams. They wrestled and grappled. Martin goaled.

At a boundary throw in soon after Martin looked around and realised he was still being manned by the bigger, slower Adams who was standing over his shoulder. Martin burst across the front of the rucks, scooped in the ball and at the time he goaled, Adams was looking around wondering where he had gone.

Martin had Jarrod Berry for a while. Berry is quicker than Adams but shorter and lighter. He didn’t last long in the job.

They moved Luke Hodge to him. Hodge was Brisbane’s best player on the night, and it might say something about how they went that a 35-year-old champion was their best player. But this was vintage Hodge. Finals footy brought out the best in him in a way that it could not with peer Gary Ablett on Friday night.

Hodge had the strength and smarts to match Martin. He also had an aura to compare with Martin’s. Martin is like Shane Warne in that he worries some opponents out of the game before the ball comes to them. Hodge didn’t fret.

Hodge was as close to the ideal match-up as you can have. There are other players similarly equipped, but unfortunately one of them was playing for Richmond at the other end of the ground. Dylan Grimes has the rare pace, size, strength and overhead game to be the complete defender, tall or small. Just ask Charlie Cameron.

Collingwood, who are through to a preliminary final, did have a match up for Martin. It was Levi Greenwood, who went down with a knee injury on Friday night.

The prospects for any team playing Richmond are significantly influenced by whether they have the player, or players, who can play on Martin.

In their preliminary final Richmond will confront either West Coast or Geelong. The Eagles’ Mark Hutchings’ tagging when on the ball has been as effective as GWS’s Matt De Boer at containing the best players.

Dustin Martin kicks his fourth goal of the night after roving a ruck contest in superb fashion

Geelong used Jake Kolodjashnij on Jordan De Goey on Friday night and he did well until De Goey suffered his injury. Kolodjashnij physically is a good match up for Martin when forward.

Ordinarily Martin would have rotated into the midfield more than he did on Saturday night, but a few things conspired against that, one being that he was hot as a forward and didn’t want to move.
Shane Edwards said when Martin is in that frame of mind and the goals are coming he just shakes off the player looking for a rotation.

The second was that he felt he had a mismatch for his opponents and was exploiting it.

What he offers Richmond is a plan C up forward. Richmond’s new structure with two rucks and two key forwards was not working for much of the first half. They couldn’t win the territory battle and couldn’t score.

They changed to the pre-Tom Lynch style where the forward line sucks up the ground and balls get sent forward into space for the small runners – Dan Rioli and Shai Bolton, in particular – to stream forward for goals.

Then they put option C into action: send Dusty to the goal square and let him work it out.
Martin remains the most dynamic and dangerous player in the finals because, right now, not one of the finalists has a player who can go with him over the ground. Knowing this, he rolls up and down to exploit the match-up he has.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/4-points-who-can-go-the-distance-with-tiger-dustin-martin-20190908-p52p6o.html

[one-eyed]

Dusty with a history of owning Brisbane.

https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2019-09-09/dusty-the-lion-tamer

[one-eyed]

David King breaks down Dustin Martin’s six-goal haul that mauled Lions

By SEN
10 September 2019

Richmond star Dustin Martin inspired Richmond to a third consecutive Preliminary Final with a match-winning performance against Brisbane.

Martin’s scintillating six-goal haul from just 14 disposals led the Tigers to a 47-point Qualifying Final win over the Lions as the 2017 Brownlow Medallist wreaked havoc when shifted forward.

Dual North Melbourne premiership player David King says the manner in which Brisbane play meant Martin was going to haver a greater influence forward of the ball.

“When you play Brisbane or Geelong for that matter … the game lives in contest. The game basically plays in that tram track 10-15 metres from the boundary line,” King told SEN’s Whateley.

“It’s very difficult to get possession, you have to win your own ball.

“Dusty’s not a great boundary line player. He doesn’t venture to the boundary.

“He doesn’t go outside of that; he likes to stay corridor side. For him to rack up big numbers in that sort of game is difficult to do.

“In that game, he found it really difficult as a true midfielder to get possession, that’s why he only had 14. He clearly decided, or Damien (Hardwick) decided, that my damage to be done tonight is forward of centre.

“He basically played the second half in the forward line, kicked four goals and they didn’t have a match-up for him.”

King was surprised at the lack of moves from Brisbane’s coaches box when the star Tiger began to run riot after half time.

“He has mauled the Brisbane Lions and they have not tried one thing different against him,” he said.

“Darcy Gardiner could have done the job, he did a great job on Jack Riewoldt, but they had other options for Riewoldt.”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/09/10/king-breaks-down-martins-six-goal-haul-that-mauled-lions/

[one-eyed]

Fox Footy's ad titled "Yes he can!" celebrating Dusty's 6 goals.

https://twitter.com/FOXFOOTY/status/1171713742436020224

[lamington]

Wow great insights there King. Dusty kicked 6 goals because he played predominantly forward. WOW!!!!

[one-eyed]

'How I’d try to stop Dusty'

by Paul Roos
Players Voice
September 13, 2019

TALE OF TWO STARS

Damien Hardwick got a lot of credit for his tactics during the Tigers’ win over Brisbane last weekend.

The weekend games gave a great illustration of two star players, Dustin Martin and Marcus Bontempelli, and how they were handled differently by their opposition.

... Chris Fagan chose not to put a hard tag on Dustin Martin.

While Dustin certainly didn’t dominate through the middle of the ground, I think, tactically, Damien Hardwick made a great call, the catalyst being that Richmond weren’t going well.

He recognised that Darcy Gardiner, who would be Dustin’s normal opponent if Dustin was forward, was occupied with Jack Riewoldt, because Riewoldt beat Marcus Adams in the previous game.

With all due respect to Marcus Adam, he didn’t really have a match-up because he was too good for Adams on the ground and Gardiner, who’s more agile, was occupied with Jack Riewoldt.

The tale of the tape for those two champions: Bontempelli endured a hard tag, his team played poorly and the coach tried to help him out but it didn’t work; Dustin Martin didn’t get a hard tag, was able to go forward and showed his form in finals is exceptional.

THE ONLY THING THAT CAN STOP DUSTIN

There is no reason Dustin can’t dominate the finals. It’s about the health of a player and he looks very fit.

It’s also about the form of the team and they are performing really well.

He looks good and the team looks good so the only question I would have is, is a team that plays against him in a preliminary final going to put a really hard tag on him?

For me, that’s the only thing that could stop Dustin now in some shape or form. But given his capacity to go forward, it always makes him tougher to tag.

Certainly, if I was coaching against him I would put someone on him and run with him everywhere, then maybe hand him over when he goes forward.

At this stage, teams haven’t put as much focus on him as you might expect for a player of his calibre.

On the weekend, we really only saw one of the top midfielders getting tagged in four games.

https://www.playersvoice.com.au/paul-roos-how-id-try-to-stop-dusty/

[one-eyed]

Dusty Martin given freedom to decide between midfield or attack by Richmond coach Damien Hardwick

Jon Ralph,
Herald Sun
September 16, 2019

Dustin Martin will again have carte blanche to push forward and wreak maximum destruction after tearing apart Brisbane with his six-goal qualifying final haul.

Tigers captain Trent Cotchin revealed on Sunday that Martin was given his own head about deciding when to play as a bulldozing midfielder or lethal small forward during games.

No player has kicked more than the six goals he poured on against the Lions since Lance Franklin’s eight goals in the 2008 qualifying final.

Against the Lions he played 58 per cent of game time forward as he cashed in on a match-up against Marcus Adams, with Tom Lynch dragging Harris Andrews away from the action.

That move appeared more by design but Cotchin said Martin would likely dictate where he played against Geelong.

“It is a question you have to ask Dimma (Damien Hardwick). Dusty is pretty good at both. It’s the beauty of his talent, that he can impact games in a number of positions,” he said.

It is typically most of the time a decision (Martin makes).

“There might be a call from the box or a suggestion from a player if they are game enough.”

Martin has averaged only 41 per cent of game time as a forward this year, tending to start in the centre square then eventually push forward.

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A favourable match-up can keep him in the forward line longer than planned, with the Cats sure to tag him with in-form midfielder Cam Guthrie.

He and Scott Selwood took responsibility for Martin in the 2017 preliminary final, keeping him to 14 possessions and little influence to half time.

He exploded after half time and finished with 12 score involvements and 157 ranking points.

Martin had hit the wall physically and emotionally by this time last year, injured leading into the preliminary final and the season having taken its toll.

But this year after a slower start to the year he feels at his physical peak, desperately motivated to repeat the 2017 premiership heroics.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/dusty-martin-given-freedom-to-decide-between-midfield-or-attack-by-richmond-coach-damien-hardwick/news-story/75161eab0d944a391468981f7d518877

[one-eyed]

Dustin Martin – 7

The Brownlow Medallist played on one leg after copping a knock in the first quarter, but lifted in the second half to lead the Tigers' resurgence. His composure in tight to set up Dion Prestia's goal was superb. Still finished with 22 disposals.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-09-20/every-tiger-rated-from-the-preliminary-final

[georgies31]

Hopefully all clear and minor corky.

[one-eyed]

The Daily Mail is obsessed with Dusty.


Dustin Martin looked pumped during his last training session ahead of the AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

The Richmond superstar was seen psyching himself up at Punt Road Oval on Thursday before the Tigers take on the Greatest Western Sydney Giants on the game's biggest stage.   

The 28-year-old went through light drills alongside his teammates and discussed tactics with Richmond defensive coach Justin Leppitsch.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7507441/Richmond-Tigers-Dustin-Martin-powers-training-AFL-grand-final.html

[one-eyed]

Dusty’s media don’t argue … after 76 seconds

Jon Ralph
Herald Sun
27 September 2019

It was the Dusty Martin cold shoulder as lethal as his famous ‘don’t argue’. After the brilliant Richmond star’s no-show at a scheduled press conference on Monday the media pack made a beeline for him at yesterday’s Grand Final parade.

The famously media-shy Martin started with some genuine insight into Marlion Pickett after the shock debutant bunked down at the Martin residence in his first weeks at the club.

Yet like Martin burning away from a stoppage, he was gone before anyone could tackle him on the curly questions.

His media contribution to the parade lasted just five questions and 76 seconds before Martin turned his back and simply refused to answer any more questions.

Asked about likely tagger Matt de Boer, he simply answered: “Mate, I am not going to do any more questions.” And then he turned away from those waiting cameras.

The more the media probed, the further he turned his back and towards his good mate and protector Trent Cotchin sitting beside him in the back of the parade car.

The media was left without answers on the impending de Boer-Martin battle, why he snapped in Round 3 against de Boer and any potential follow-up sledging of Shane Mumford following his fine for mocking his cocaine episode.

Yet on a day when 43 players were happy to talk it was more comical than controversial — another chapter in those magnificent Dusty Files.

In that minute before he retreated back into his shell he seemed genuinely thrilled for former housemate Pickett.

“He is just a genuine caring person and put his head down and worked hard and I couldn’t be prouder of him or the club for giving him a chance,” he said.

“It’s special and he will be up to it. I am looking forward to seeing what he can bring.”

Martin said he was much more relaxed than in 2017 — and much fitter than last year’s preliminary final loss when he could hardly run.

“You always have got little niggles here and there, but it’s good to be a bit fresher,” he said.

A handful of cars behind him, Jack Dyer Medal favourite Dion Prestia was much more effusive about the challenge de Boer would bring.

Midfield coach Adam Kingsley has already prepared Martin and Prestia for the tagging Giants’ tactics, even if Prestia will back in his hard-running style.

“I think against Carlton (Ed) Curnow might have gone to me halfway through the first quarter. It’s the only attention I have had for a while,” he said.

And what happened in that Round 21 battle, as Prestia ran himself ragged with 35 touches?

“I got three Brownlow votes, so hopefully the same thing can happen this week,” Prestia said with a laugh.

“I just talked about it when went through my tape with Adam Kingsley, our midfield coach

“It was showing different things we can do, we looked at different things (Adam) Treloar and (Scott) Pendlebury did.

“I don’t want to give too much away, we just won’t make it easy for him, not being stationary and not allowing him to tag too easily.”

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/dustin-martins-76second-interview-at-grand-final-parade/news-story/8bf78e6636b146224cf287efa990b530

[one-eyed]

Why Dustin Martin's dad Shane has to watch AFL Grand Final in pub.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7510463/Dustin-Martins-bikie-dad-Shane-watch-AFL-Grand-Final-New-Zealand.html

[one-eyed]

Dustin Martin – 9

What can you say about the superstar? Grabbed his second Norm Smith Medal with 22 disposals and four goals and could have had an even bigger day if he he'd been more selfish. Kicked a goal in each quarter and his third-term snap from the left forward pocket was the icing. Had Matt de Boer's attention early but when he moved forward, just tore the game apart.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-09-28/player-ratings-richmond

DUSTIN MARTIN 9.5

The biggest player on the biggest stage. He was mostly forward to turn on a performance for the ages to take home another Norm for the collection. Watch out, Melbourne.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/afl-grand-final-player-ratings-dustin-martin-and-bachar-houli-shine-toby-green-phil-davis-flop/news-story/3b13f40fe020027c0e71ae275f356ff2

[one-eyed]

Big-game Dusty climbs Everest again

Jay Clark and Michael Randall
Herald Sun
29 September 2019

Dustin Martin once worried what people thought.

The expectations, the fear of not playing like he did in that perfect 2017 season, and whether could once again find fulfilment on and off the football field.

For the superstar midfielder, last season was one of the most challenging of his life as he dealt with a mental health struggle and, at times, an “empty” feeling.

You could understand, he had sort of done it all.

But the exasperation of 2018 has been replaced by the exhilaration of winning a second Norm Smith Medal to go with another premiership.

Martin, 28, is now the only man in the game’s history to have two flags, a Brownlow Medal, and been best-on ground twice in a pressure-packed Grand Final.

As much as we were drawn to the Marlion Pickett story, and that unforgettable blind turn in the middle of a sun-drenched MCG, Martin also added another incredible chapter to his career snagging four goals and 22 possessions in Richmond’s 89-point premiership rout.

Clearly, the man with the best fend-off in footy is back on top of the game he loves.

“The way he can influence a game is incredible,” coach Damien Hardwick said.

“He works really hard both physically and mentally on his game and he makes us so proud.

“He will go down now as one of the all-time greats.”

Martin is now in Luke Hodge territory in terms of his big-game status after becoming only the fourth player in the game to pocket a second Norm Smith Medal, joining Gary Ayres, Andrew McLeod and Hodge.

He was dynamite in the forward half, Dusty, and curled home his third goal with a deadly snap from near the point post in the third term, after picking up a Daniel Rioli handball off the ground.

But his best moment, later in that third term, was something even Hardwick said he would cherish forever.

Lined up with a shot near the 50m line, Martin looked only in Pickett’s direction and found the debutant in open space straight in front of goal.

“I was a little bit tired and I thought he (Pickett) might have been a little bit too far out for me,” Martin said.

“But I saw him out the corner of my eye and I gave him a little nod and he worked his way into a bit of space.

“For the club to give him second chance, we all make mistakes, I couldn’t be prouder of the club.”

What a moment for the man whose life was in turmoil as a teenager when he was sent to jail for more than two years for some burglary offences.

Here’s Martin, who didn’t finish school, and Pickett, back from the brink, having the time of their lives at the home of football.

Martin said what he loves most about the Tigers is the selfless attitude which drives everyone.

“I’m lucky enough today to get the recognition but the thing that I love about this footy club is we don’t actually care who gets the touches and who kicks the goals,” Martin said.

Yes 2017 was almost the perfect season from Martin, but is it tougher to climb Mt Everest a second time, considering you’ve already taken in the view before?

Teammate Shaun Grigg said yesterday’s win may taste even sweeter for Martin than the first flag.

“He won a Norm Smith medal in 2017 playing in the midfield, wining clearances,” Grigg said.

“But playing in the front half today he has won another one as more of a forward.

“He just rises to the occasion, the bigger the better for him.”

Martin is a more mature person, he says, and as damaging on the field as he ever has been.

When Pickett kicked to him from the wing in the second term, Martin just read the ball better as he tucked in behind his nervous opponent and slotted his second.

Not long after that, it was party time.

And Martin now has one of the best resumes going around, after making the decision to stay at Punt Rd a few years ago, in the face of a monster offer from North Melbourne.

What a good call, as they look to poach a third premiership in 2020.

Hardwick said he has learned more from Martin, than the player has from his coach.

“The things that we speak about consistently like mindfulness and connection, he has had that in spades for a long, long time,” Hardwick said.

“He was ahead of the curve.”



https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/norm-smith-medal-dominant-dustin-martin-claims-second-grand-final-bog/news-story/16c01bc2ef35104c1bb949ec9592910f

[mightytiges]

Two flags.
Two Norm Smiths.
One Brownlow (so far).

Now at the stage where Dusty will down in RFC history being mentioned in the same league as KB, Royce Hart & Francis Bourke. Dyer will always be #1 but Dusty's name sits comfortably in our all time top 5.