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Richmond defeat Western Bulldogs: Dusty leaves jaws on the floor

Dustin Martin had himself a field day on Wednesday night and added a cherry on top of his efforts with a goal of the year contender.

James McKernJames McKern
@jLmcKern
2 min read
July 29, 2020 - 9:40PM
Dusty was on another level on Wednesday night.
Dusty was on another level on Wednesday night.

Richmond kicked off the AFL’s extravaganza in stunning style as they dismantled the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday night at Metricon Stadium.

In a contest many fans thought could go down to the wire, it was all one-way traffic for the Tigers who simply did as they pleased as they claimed the 13.12 (90) to 7.7 (49) win.

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Brownlow Medal superstar Dustin Martin led the charge for the Tigers, ending the contest with 26 disposals and three goals to his name.

But it was in the fourth quarter, with the game wrapped up when the mercurial star left everyone watching on in absolute disbelief.

Martin took possession of a ball in the middle of a pack and after shaking off a tackle, handballed out to a teammate before getting it back and running towards the boundary just inside the 50 and putting the ball right through the middle of the goal.

It was a moment that displayed the full extent of Martin’s damage he can do on the field and added the cherry on top of what was a dominant night from not only the star midfielder but the entire Tigers outfit.

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The Bulldogs got the game started with the opening goal of the contest, but that was as good as it got for the favoured team coming into the contest.

Richmond simply took control of the match all over the ground as they ran away and elevated themselves back inside the top eight on the ladder.

“I’m just proud of the way we’ve been playing. We didn’t get the result last week, but we’re playing some good footy,” Martin said after the game.

When asked about his goal in the final quarter, a sheepish Martin said he probably should have passed it inboard.

“It was a bit cheeky maybe should have passed it, but I practice those at training so I thought why not,” he said.

The Bulldogs are now likely to fall outside of the top eight once the round ends with the club back in action on Monday night when they take on Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

Richmond will be back at Metricon Stadium when they take on another top of the table team in the Brisbane Lions.

Originally published as Richmond defeat Western Bulldogs: Dusty leaves jaws on the floor

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/richmond-defeat-western-bulldogs-dusty-leaves-jaws-on-the-floor/news-story/9789986742606b8f9738553225404e30