Martin was the main story of the night, however, and he credited little-known meditation sessions for taking his game to new heights in 2017 after revealing he had felt the strain of constant focus this season.
“I do actually have a few people that I can talk to, and I do some meditation on my day off and that helps me stay a bit relaxed,” the superstar Tiger said.
“I’ve definitely got people I can talk to that can help me through that sort of stuff.
“It has been (important). It has been pretty stressful, even though I might not show it. I’m glad all that stuff is out of the way and I’m just excited for the next couple of weeks.”
Richmond will play the winner of this Saturday night’s semi-final between Greater Western Sydney and West Coast, although the midfield bull is unlikely to watch much.
“I don’t watch too much football,” he smiled. “But I might watch a quarter.”
Martin delivered a 28-disposal best-afield performance against Geelong on Friday night, just days after immigration minister Peter Dutton created a new law that would keep his father Shane — who was deported to New Zealand in March 2016 for his links to the Rebels motorcycle club — from re-entering the country.
Shane Martin told the Herald Sun from New Zealand after last night’s vote count that he could not be prouder of his son.
“I couldn’t be any happier for Dustin,” he said.
“Through bad news last week, he just rises above it again.”
The man himself credited the unity of the playing group for Richmond taking the next step and last Friday night winning its first final since 2001.
“Our connection has been a lot better, we’ve been enjoying it and just embracing it,” he said.
“I think for example on Friday night, everyone played their role and that’s what I’m most proud of — everyone is chipping in.
“We’ve become a lot closer and it’s great.”
The “humbled” 26-year-old said the season that now sees him as the shortest-ever Brownlow Medal favourite in history has left him pinching himself at times.
“I guess it’s a little bit surreal sometimes, and you’ve got to pinch yourself,” he said.
He said coach Damien Hardwick has encouraged the players to embrace the next 10 days before they play off for a Grand Final spot, which would be its first in 35 years.
Martin said it is a world away from Round 23 of last season when the Tigers fell 113 points short of Sydney.
“It’s awesome,” he said.
“Compared to where we were last year, it’s just really awesome.
“Richmond is rocking. I was driving down the street (yesterday) and there was black and yellow everywhere. It’s great.”
Dustin Martin with Leigh Matthews after whom the AFL Players' MVP award is named. Picture: Getty Imageshttp://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/is-lance-stuff-riewoldt-thinks-so/news-story/e214369da8dc52f94f0a5d692c0bf6d8
