DUSTIN Martin has made history, and given Richmond the perfect start to Grand Final week, by delivering the Tigers’ seventh Brownlow Medal.
The tattooed superstar polled 36 votes, the most under the current voting system, to defeat Patrick Dangerfield by three votes.
Martin became the first player to poll three votes in 11 games in a season — recap every round below.
ROUND 1 v Carlton — won by 43
D33 G4 M5 SC159
Perfect start, earning three votes after setting up the win with 16 touches and three goals in first half. Running total: 3
ROUND 2 v Collingwood — won by 19
D25 G2 M3 SC118
Lifted late with two final quarter goals but no love from the umpires. Running total: 3
ROUND 3 v West Coast — won by 11
D40 G2 M3 SC155
Huge game, 33 kicks and two goals. Three more votes in the bag. Running total: 6
ROUND 4 v Brisbane Lions — won by 52
D16 G0 M0 SC54
Quietest game for the year, tagged by Mitch Robinson. No Brownlow votes.
ROUND 5 v Melbourne won by 13
D32 G1 M2 SC92
Exploded in last term despite battling sore groin. Enough for one vote behind Jack Riewoldt and Toby Nankervis.
Round 6 v Adelaide — lost by 76
D25 G1 M4 SC93
Not usual self but had plenty of mates the same. Votes all went to the Crows.
ROUND 7 v Western Bulldogs — lost by 5
D28 G2 M3 SC97
Some moments of brilliance but Bontempelli best. Scored one vote.
ROUND 8 v Fremantle — lost by 2
D27 G1 M3 SC105
Tried hard but didn’t have usual impact. Dockers claim all six votes.
ROUND 9 v GWS — lost by 3
D35 G0 M6 SC144
Didn’t hit scoreboard but had ball on a string. Heartbreak for the Tigers but Dusty claims three votes.
ROUND 10 v Essendon — won by 15
D30 G1 M5 SC125
A class above, won the dreamtime game medal. Another three.
ROUND 11 v North Melbourne — won by 35
D38 G2 M8 SC165
Carved up the Kangaroos, as good as it gets. Three more.
ROUND 12 BYE
ROUND 13 v Sydney — lost by 9
D23 G2 M4 SC106
Quiet game, tagged well by Hewett. No votes here
ROUND 14 v Carlton — won by 26
D30 G0 M6 SC121
Looked a class above in a dour Sunday struggle, but just the one vote.
ROUND 15 v Port Adelaide — won by 13
D36 G1 M8 SC121
Exploded in the second half when it counted. Umps give him three more.
ROUND 16 v St Kilda — lost by 67
D19 G1 M1 SC74
No impact in first half and didn’t get much better. No votes.
ROUND 17 v Brisbane Lions — won by 31
D40 G2 M4 SC111
Monster second half when the Tigers needed him despite plenty of niggle from opponent Nick Robertson. A big three.
ROUND 18 v GWS — won by 31
D31 G1 M4 SC150
Ripped the game away from GWS after quarter-time. Three votes.
ROUND 19 v Gold Coast — won by 33
D34 G1 M5 SC142
Has had better games but still snagged three.
ROUND 20 v Hawthorn — won by 29
D32 G2 M6 SC119
Caddy Tigers’ best, couldn’t squeeze into the votes.
ROUND 21 v Geelong — won by 29
D32 G2 M3 SC108
Limited impact, plenty of others better. Nothing here.
ROUND 22 v Fremantle — won by 104
D36 G2 M6 SC130
Tore apart the Dockers with some serious tricks. Three votes.
ROUND 23 v St Kilda — won by 41
D36 G2 M4 SC146
Cherry on top of a super season. Martin becomes the first player ever to poll three votes in 11 games in one season.
Add your comment to this story
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout
Experts react after dire goalless effort
A foundation member of the AFLW competition was begging for change after fans were greeted to a dismal display on Friday night.
Cats, Dogs at odds as hefty Smith asking price revealed
The Western Bulldogs have refused Geelong’s offer of pick 17 for Bailey Smith. Now what they are really after can be revealed. Plus the latest on Jake Stringer’s move away from Essendon.