No. 1 pick’s touching act leaves legend ‘emotional’ amid Dusty comparisons

The No. 1 pick has left an AFL legend emotional with a touching tribute as he lived up to the hype and the Dustin Martin comparisons.

If there was already hype over this year’s No. 1 AFL draft pick, it has just been taken to a whole new level following Richmond’s shock 13-point victory over Carlton.

Sam Lalor has regularly drawn comparisons to Richmond champion Dustin Martin across his young career, so it was fitting the teenager was selected by the Tigers with the first overall pick last November.

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Rather than feeling any pressure from the comparisons to a triple premiership, triple Norm Smith medallist, Lalor appears to take it all in his stride.

He openly stated last year he was keen to inherit Martin’s famous No. 4 jumper, with the club opting to put that on ice in 2025 in tribute to Dusty as Lalor instead donned No. 22.

But those Martin comparisons are now undeniable and have spread across the footy world following his debut in huge underdog Richmond’s 13.4 (82) to 9.15 (69) stunner on Thursday night.

Watch Lalor kick his first AFL goal in the video player above

The Dusty comparisons are understandable as Sam Lalor kicks his first career goal. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The 18-year-old ended his first AFL game with 18 disposals, two goals, two tackles and two goal assists, spending 80 per cent of the match on the ground.

Yet it wasn’t just the numbers, it was the way the powerfully built youngster impacted the game – often at crucial times – in trademark Martin style.

One of his most eye-popping moments occurred late in the first quarter when he took a soaring mark on the wing of an MCG packed with 80,009 fans.

That was enough for North Melbourne great David King to start wheeling out the Dusty comparisons on Fox Footy.

“Look at that. That is a sight the Richmond fans have probably been … let’s be honest, that could easily be the No. 4 on the back there,” he gushed.

Surely Dustin Martin was among those watching Lalor’s debut. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“It could be Dustin Martin flying through the air, he looks exactly like him the way he moves this kid.

“Not to put too much pressure on him, but he looks good.”

“I think you just did,” chimed in Mark Howard.

While Lalor was impressing on debut, the Tigers found themselves down by 41 points in the second quarter as the Carlton cakewalk appeared to be unfolding.

But Richmond began to turn the tide late in that term, kicking the last three goals of the half to trail by 25 points.

It was Jason Dunstall’s turn to wax lyrical about Lalor at the long break.

It wasn’t just the flashy moves, Lalor did plenty of grunt work. Photo: Michael Klein

“This is the bit I love first,” he began as Lalor highlights were replayed.

“Remember the comparisons to Dusty Martin and the first thing you see, the first time he touched the ball, he breaks a couple of tackles and gets the ball out.

“And then we see him do this (the leaping mark).

“So this is exciting and if that’s all we see (tonight) I’d still be excited.

“I think this guy’s going to have a big impact. Not on this game, but on the game in general the more experience he gets at this level.”

As it turned out, Dunstall was wrong on both fronts, with Lalor showing much more in the second half and indeed impacting this game.

The Blues were grasping at straws against the youngster. Photo: Michael Klein

Richmond’s turnaround hit new heights in the third term, with the Tigers kicking five goals to one to lock scores up at the final change.

That included Lalor’s first career goal, reading a forward 50m entry perfectly and sneaking behind a marking contest to slam it through in front of the Tiger Army.

Let’s be honest, even his celebration was Dusty-esque.

“Richmond fans rolled up tonight wondering what can we expect, are we going to lose,” Jack Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.

“Right now they’re a goal behind and their young star is dragging them over the line.

“It’s all on the back of No. 22 Sam Lalor.”

By this stage, King had decided Richmond’s No. 4 hiatus had already gone on long enough. 

“Give him the No. 4 now I reckon,” he said. “Change the number in-game.

“Richmond are riding this wave of momentum from their young star. No. 22, a player who’s got a huge, huge future ahead of him.”

Lalor kicked the opening goal of the fourth term to put Richmond in front and from there it was a procession as they ran out worthy, shocking victors.

Speaking post-game, Lalor revealed he wore a black armband in honour of his mentor at Geelong Grammar, the late Troy Selwood, after checking with his brother Joel.

“I actually called him (Joel Selwood) a couple of days ago and let him know that I would be wearing an armband for his brother Troy,” Lalor told Channel 7.

Troy Selwood would he the HAPPIEST person on earth right now seeing Sam Lalor in action on the MCG. Troy invested everything into Sam 🕊️ #rip#geelonggrammar

— Jeff White (@JeffWhite34) March 13, 2025

“He was an awesome mentor for me. I wouldn’t be here without him.

“Joel was pretty happy and emotional. He sent me a good luck message and, yeah, really proud to wear this and I’m happy I could do this.”

Lalor’s name was on everyone’s lips at the MCG and Leigh Montagna asked Richmond veteran Nick Vlaustin about the kid during the post-match celebrations.

“We have to ask about Sam Lalor. It was incredible, the debut of him tonight,” he said.

“You grew up with Dusty and saw what he did, I know there’s been a lot of comparisons and you might not want to go there.

“But just tell us a little bit about what you’ve seen from this kid so far.”

Lalor even led the Tigers off the MCG after the game. Photo: Michael Klein

Vlaustin conceded he was still learning about him after Lalor’s broken jaw in a pre-season clash with West Coast dented his preparation for the season.

“He’s probably been in cotton wool a bit over pre-season,” he replied.

“Then they kind of let him go in that West Coast game and he broke his jaw, so we haven't seen too much of him yet.

“But what he does do, it’s pretty special. Tonight he was just so clean with the ball, yeah he’s going to be pretty special for us I think.”

Former Carlton star Eddie Betts also got caught up in the moment, stating Lalor “dominated tonight, he’s got that Dusty mentality about him, he’s got the haircut and he played like him today” in an interview with Tiger Jack Ross.

Harry Armstrong (left), Lalor and Luke Trainor beam after their AFL debuts. Photo: Michael Klein

A good team man, Ross was keen to give credit to the playing list in general, including fellow debutants Luke Trainor and Harry Armstrong.

“He’s built for these games, these sort of occasions, he’s a terrific player,” Ross said of Lalor.

“We’ve got so much youth but they’re bringing so much energy and the older guys are feeding off it as well, so it’s infectious.”

We’ll leave the last word to Lalor, who somewhat thankfully wasn’t asked about Martin when he spoke to Brad Johnson after the game.

But he was trying to soak in what had just transpired.

“It was a special night. A really special night,” he said. “When the final siren sounded, I was so happy.

“Every goal I was up and about and I’m so proud of the group.

“I’m still pinching myself. Love to beat Carlton in round one and hopefully I’m playing in many more round ones.

“But super start and what a game to debut in.”

Originally published as No. 1 pick’s touching act leaves legend ‘emotional’ amid Dusty comparisons