Dusty No.1 but no Jack in top 50
5. Josh Kelly
4. Lance Franklin
3. Nat Fyfe
2. Patrick Dangerfield
1. Dustin MartinRichmond
Midfielder
Last year's ranking: 12
Official AFL Player Rating: 2
Debut: 2010
Games: 178
AFL Fantasy value: $800,000
WHAT else can Dustin Martin achieve? How else can he be used? And can teams find a way to stop the most devastating player in the game? They are the three questions set to be answered in what shapes as an intriguing 2018 season for the most exciting player in the game.
Martin completed what Leigh Matthews described as the greatest individual season in the game's history in 2017, winning Brownlow, Norm Smith and premiership medals all in one year – a feat never before achieved.
Ahead of the new season, he has been recognised by his peers as the game's best player, vaulting from No.12 in 2017 into top spot in the Players' Top 50 poll.
Players 5-1 are revealed below, and you can click here to see the full 2018 Players' Top 50.
Superstars Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe will be coming for Martin's crown as the game's best player, and we're in for a treat if that Brownlow winning pair can play at their best this year.
Many opponents are lucky to lay a glove on Dusty, let alone stop him. Picture: AFL Photos
So how does Martin hold them back?
The first factor is the freedom he will have without the constant speculation about his playing future, after signing a contract extension on the eve of last year's finals series.
"The two hours when you play footy is freedom … you don't have to worry about anything else. That's what I love doing," Martin said after last year's Grand Final.
Anything that gives the Tigers superstar more freedom can only help him and the focus in 2018 will be purely on his football, rather than a bidding war for his services.
Dustin Martin's 2017
25 games
29.8 avg disposals
37 goals
Brownlow Medal
All Australian
Norm Smith Medal
AFL Players' Association MVP
AFL Coaches' Association Player of the Year
Premiership winner
Club best and fairest
How about his role?
Damien Hardwick showed a willingness to play Martin as an isolated forward last year, and the powerful midfielder has the authority to move where he thinks he is needed at any time.
As he gets better at using that authority in games, and harnesses his ability as an anchored forward at key points of matches, his influence could grow again.
Martin kicked a career-high 37 goals last year and, with his ability to kick multiple goals in 13 of those games, there's nothing to suggest that tally can't shoot past 50 in 2018 if he plays longer periods forward.
Having won everything there is to win, what else can Dusty achieve?
Leadership stands out.
Entering his ninth season, Martin has never looked like a natural fit for the Tigers' leadership group before now, and a three-man set-up worked a treat for the club last year.
But Martin's growth on and off the field could see him take on more responsibility in 2018, and that could impact both his and his team's performances if he relishes the opportunity.
The question of how teams stop Martin this year can't be answered right now. It will be fascinating to see what they try, but taggers don't work, and there is only one defender in the game that might feel comfortable manning him one-on-one inside 50.
Unfortunately for the rest of the competition, he wears the same jumper as the No.1 player in the game.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-15/players-top-50-can-dustin-martin-fend-off-the-pack
