Where does Dusty sit amongst the Tiger greats? Has he broken into our top 5 according to Robbo?
There’s five at the Tigers in rare air — Jack Dyer, Kevin Bartlett, Royce Hart, Ian Stewart and Jack “Skinny’’ Titus — and Martin might’ve jumped ahead of the likes of Francis Bourke, Roger Dean and Vic Thorp, all Richmond “Immortals’’. - Robbo
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It’s possible Dustin Martin could end his career as Richmond’s greatest player.
Ask Royce Hart, and he says there’s still an “if’’.
“If he can win another couple of premierships, and it’s on the cards, you never know where he’s going to be rated,’’ Hart said.
Could he the greatest?
“I don’t know, it’s not me to judge. He’s certainly done No.4 proud, I’ll say that.’’
Martin is 28, has played 224 games — and maybe has another 140 games in him — is a two-time premiership player, two-time Norm Smith medallist, has a Brownlow, an AFL MVP and two best-and-fairest awards.
Already, he has joined Gary Ablett, Michael Voss, Chris Judd and Lance Franklin as the pre-eminent AFL players of the century.
Unquestionably, he is being spoken of as Richmond royalty.
There’s five at the Tigers in rare air — Jack Dyer, Kevin Bartlett, Hart, Ian Stewart and Jack “Skinny’’ Titus — and Martin might’ve jumped ahead of the likes of Francis Bourke, Roger Dean and Vic Thorp, all Richmond “Immortals’’.
Yep, he had that kind of season, and it’s why he’s No.1 in this year’s Top 50.
Others might have had more consistent seasons, but no other was able to once again deliver big time in finals.
He kicked six goals in the first final against Brisbane, four goals and the Norm Smith in the Grand Final and 12 goals overall through the finals series.
Nat Fyfe had a terrific season, the Patricks — Dangerfield and Cripps — were often breathtaking and Marcus Bontempelli sublime, yet Martin just gets it done when it matters most.
Hart, also the wearer of the No.4 at Tigerland, says Martin stands above them, and every other player since 1966, in one category.
“The best thing about him, and I don’t think they highlight it enough, but I reckon he’s the best disposal of the ball, by hand and foot, I’ve seen in my time in football.’’
That’s 53 seasons for Hart.
“I saw the Farmers, the Williams, the Barassis and Skiltons, and if you took statistics on what he does with the ball, you’d find by hand and foot he’d have the best percentage of effective kicks and handball of anyone.
“He’s got a big rap on him for his ability to shrug players who are trying to tackle him, but if you look at what he does when he has the ball, it’s always to advantage.
“A lot of players these days, in my opinion, half their stats are handballs and kicks to get themselves out of trouble ... ineffective.’’
Hart naturally loves Martin the forward more than Martin the midfielder.
This year, Martin spent 43 per cent of game time up forward and 57 per cent in the midfield, which was a significantly up compared to his 2017 and 2018 seasons, when the split was 29 per cent forward and 71 per cent midfield.
“I said to Mike Sheahan four years ago, I’d put Dusty at centre half-forward,’’ Hart said.
“He’s exactly the same height and weight (as I was) when I played.
“He’s an effective goalkicker, which adds to his bag of tricks.
“But he’s certainly the best user of the ball that I’ve seen.
“I’m not saying he’s as good as Greg Williams at handball or Polly (Farmer) at handball, and (Bob) Skilton was very good with both left and right feet, and Stewie (Ian Stewart) was magnificent, but to go forward and be that effective.’’
Dusty’s a crowd-puller, Hart said.
“I think it’s about race horses and Winx, people go and see them, and in football, they go see players who are worthwhile, and he’s in that class.
“He’s what footy needs.
“And with Richmond winning two out of three, he’s gone into a different league compared to other players.’’
Source: Herald-Sun
