AFL Grand Final 2020: There is no asterisk on this flag as Richmond, Dusty join the greats, writes Mark Robinson
Geelong was 22 points ahead when Dustin Martin got into their heads, and it only got worse from there. The Richmond champion now stands as the player of his generation and possibly the greatest Tiger ever, writes Mark Robinson.
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The dynasty was never meant to be easy, not this year anyhow.
Richmond’s third premiership in four years was its most difficult and most challenging and probably its most rewarding.
They are the winners of the pandemic premiership.
And Dustin Martin, the most glorious of footballers, is the winner of his third Norm Smith medal.
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Oh Dusty, is there anything you can’t achieve?
Even his post-match speech was classy. “Let’s go,’’ he screamed after thanking all and sundry.
There were queries about Richmond’s legitimacy in joining Brisbane, Geelong and Hawthorn as the best teams of this century and perhaps among the best-of-all-time.
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But there were no such queries about Dusty.
He not only is the player of his generation, after Saturday night he stands among the best players of all-time.
Perhaps the best Richmond has produced.
Ahead of him were Royce Hart and Kevin Bartlett. After that performance, well, there might not be no one.
He kicked four goals on Saturday night.
His brilliant goal moments before halftime had the confident Cats thinking, his banana goal in the third quarter had them panicking and his two goals in the final term left them crying.
Let’s be honest, find a husband or wife who will hug you like Martin and coach Damien Hardwick hugged each other after the final siren and you have found a deep love and respect.
Hardwick is a great coach. Unquestionably, he is a greater coach with Dusty in his team.
Down 22 points in the first half, the Tigers revved their considerable engine in the second-half and Geelong did not have the answers.
It was supposed to be a fairytale for all at Geelong.
They are left heart-broken.
Gary Ablett departed in tears and with a half-busted shoulder, an injury he suffered in the first five minutes. It wasn’t meant to be for little champ.
For Gazza, there are no tomorrows. But he has a bundle of yesterdays which we were all privileged to see.
Patrick Dangerfield remains without a flag and coach Chris Scott’s mountain is another year off being conquered.
He and his players will rue missed opportunities in the second quarter.
For the Tigers, they have their own book of fairytales.
Most of all, it will be written they were the champs in a season of unprecedented challenge, which was eventually decided on a wet night in late October under lights in south-east Queensland.
No asterisk here ladies and gentlemen.
Forever, the question of this grand final will be, what happened at halftime?
It is a question which will produce many answers without defining the exact response.
It was Richmond’s famed and feared pressure.
After an even first half on that front, Richmond went at 217 to Geelong’s 189 in pressure rating.
In breaking the Cats, they won the tackle count 24-12.
From pressure came confidence and energy for the Tigers and doubt and hesitation for the Cats.
When Dion Prestia kicked the opening goal of the final term the game was over.
The Tigers did it without Nick Vlastuin who was knocked out in a dramatic first quarter.
Grand finals always take casualties and Vlastuin was the first after an outrageous and unflinching pursuit of the ball which ended up in a collision with Dangerfield’s forearm.
There are tremendous stories everywhere.
Noah Balta was the youngest player on the ground and didn’t allow one of the oldest players, Tom Hawkins, to dictate.
Kamdyn McIntosh got his second medal after it looked like his career was finished and Marlion Pickett has his second medal inside 20 games.
There’s the skipper Trent Cotchin. He’s now Ricmond’s first three-time premiership captain, surpassing four others — Alec Edmond (1902 and ’02), Dan Minogue (1920-21), Percy Bentley (1932 and ’34) and Royce Hart (1973-74).
Stories abounded this year about Richmond’s so-called vulnerabilities. At different stages, they were accused of being undisciplined, lacking leadership, of being petulant and big heads.
Nothing sticks now.
Indeed, their class at the end to send Gazza off was pure and, it seems, organised on the ground by Jack Riewoldt.
Jack didn’t have a great first three quarters, nor did Tommy Lynch, so once again it was mainly team over individuals, save for Dusty of course
Others to perform highly included Toby Nankervis, Jayden Short and Shai Bolton.
“Three in four years is unbelievable. Undeniably it is a Tigers dynasty,’’ Hawks great Jason Dunstall forewarned. Another Hawk great Jordan Lewis agreed. “They are straight into the conversation (with Brisbane, Geelong and Hawthorn) … they will be remembered as one of the great teams.
So, the season is over and what a season we endured and, after a fitful and fearful beginning, we grew to enjoy.
As for next year, who knows what awaits.
When the MCG re-opens and fans in the tens of thousands charge through the gates, there should be song being played on rotation.
It is Greg Champion’s poignant That’s The Thing About Football.
‘’I’ve got my scarf, got my old coat, I’ve got a footy game to go to. Footy’s on, footy’s here again, back to greet me like an old friend.’’
We can’t wait.
Well played, Tigers.
MORE GRAND FINAL
Back-to-back: Richmond defeats Geelong to win the 2020 AFL Grand Final
AFL Grand Final 2020: Every Richmond and Geelong player rated
AFL Grand Final 2020: Patrick Dangerfield cleared after brutal collision with Nick Vlastuin
Originally published as AFL Grand Final 2020: There is no asterisk on this flag as Richmond, Dusty join the greats, writes Mark Robinson
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