Dusty on a level of his own: WallaceBy Luke Sicari
SEN
5 June 2017Former Richmond coach, Terry Wallace, has declared Dustin Martin is in a league of his own, after his stunning 38-disposal performance against North Melbourne on Saturday night.
Martin, who is second to Patrick Dangerfield in Champion Data’s Brownlow Medal tracker, is averaging 29.9 disposals, 564.4 metres gained, 14.5 contested possessions, 7.9 score involvements, 6.7 clearances and 6.1 inside 50s.
Damien Hardwick’s decision to move the Tattooed Tiger forward has also paid dividends, as Martin has booted 16 goals. This forward proficiency has elevated the impact the 25-year-old makes on the game, and Wallace has him ahead of the likes of Lance Franklin, Scott Pendlebury, Joel Selwood and the reigning Brownlow Medallist.
“At the moment, I think Martin is on a level of his own,” Wallace said on SEN’s Hungry For Sport.
“I don’t think the others can do what Martin does as a one-out forward. I think Martin is a level ahead of Dangerfield.”
Former Herald Sun Chief Football Writer, Mike Sheahan, also heaped praise on the Bendigo Pioneers product.
“He is a brilliant player, Martin,” Sheahan said on SEN Breakfast.
“He is strong and works hard. His foot skills are great. I think he is a champion.”
This season, Martin ranks first in total kicks and inside 50s, while he is eighth in contested possessions, 10th in clearances and 13th in disposals.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/06/05/dusty-on-a-level-of-his-own-wallace/
