Dustin Martin’s Norm Smith Medal returned in emotional event

AS Dustin Martin celebrated Richmond’s Grand Final win overseas, one of his precious medals was returned in emotional scenes.

RICHMOND star Dustin Martin has had his Norm Smith Medal returned, completing the extraordinary set of accolades and individual awards he collected during his stellar 2017 AFL season.

Martin gave the precious medal, won for his best on ground performance during the Tigers’ Grand Final victory over the Adelaide Crows in September, to his mate Will Murray for safe keeping. And the teen did the job with aplomb.

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Will, 15, a quadriplegic, sustained a critical neck injury after jumping off a pier at Half Moon Bay in 2016.

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Richmond Premiership player Dustin Martin with Will Murray.

Dustin Martin on field during the 2017 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The Tigers, particularly Martin, have been there for Will following his injury — his mother, Emma, is the club’s mindfulness coach.

Will and Martin have forged a close bond over the past year, even visiting a Buddhist temple.

Will was entrusted with the medal while Martin celebrated the Grand Final victory and then visited the US and Mexico with fellow footy bon vivant Dane Swan.

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The teen joined Martin on stage at the star player’s recent “In Conversation” at Crown, where he spoke of their unique friendship.

In front of the 800-strong audience of Tigers fans, he returned the medal to the premiership hero in what was a genuinely emotional moment during a fascinating evening.

“Finally I can get my medal back, mate,” Martin quipped.

“I think he deserves to wear it, just,” Will joked.

Martin’s 2017 medal haul included the Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond’s best and fairest, the Brownlow Medal, AFL Premiership Medal, Gary Ayres Medal as best player of the 2017 finals series, the AFL most valued player, and the Norm Smith Medal.