Dustin Martin’s words inspired Tigers in 2020 grand final winBy Jon Ralph
Herald-Sun/Australian
MARCH 10, 2021Jack Riewoldt says Dustin Martin’s emerging leadership will take him to an even greater level, revealing it was the midfield star’s halftime words which inspired Richmond’s comeback in the AFL grand final.
Richmond was 21 points down nearing half time of the Gabba grand final until Martin’s late goal dragged the margin back to respectability.
Martin would go on to win his third Norm Smith Medal and with four more years on his contract, Riewoldt believes he can elevate to an even greater plane.
Riewoldt told “One Night in Brisbane”, a Fox Footy grand final feature to air on Thursday night, that Martin had another level of achievement left at 29 years of age.
“This bloke – he’s not known as a leader outside of the footy club but he was the one who grabbed everyone and said we’re right in this, we’re right up to our eyeballs in this game and we could feel the momentum shift back our way,” Riewoldt said.
“It’s so phenomenal what he does in big games and we’re bloody lucky to have him.”
Speaking at Wednesday’s Fox Footy’s 2021 season launch in Melbourne Riewoldt said he was focussed on Richmond’s Round 1 clash against Carlton at the MCG next Thursday.
“It has been rejuvenating coming back and training at the club and I just can’t wait for the games to start and to get intothe grind of the season,” Riewoldt said.
The three-time premiership forward said the sky was still the limit for Martin.
“I know he values how important he is from a vice-captain, from a captain, from the coach on how much we lean on him – I think he’s starting to get a bit of a grasp on how important he is – not only as a player but as a cultural figure from Richmond,” Riewoldt said.
Damien Hardwick tells the “One Night in Brisbane” special he believes last year’s premiership was one of the hardest ever won in football given the constant challenges of hub-life and the dramatic changes to the season brought about by COVID.
“I think this is a really, really tough thing to say but I think this is our best grand final win,” he says.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/dustin-martins-words-inspired-tigers-in-2020-grand-final-win/news-story/4b052a3d63ab95f265a1509a7135e42a
