Dustin Martin into Brownlow Medal favouritism after Patrick Dangerfield offered suspension

DUSTIN Martin should book a speech writer, says Sam Landsberger, after Patrick Dangerfield was offered a ban but he must still walk the MRP tightrope.

Dustin Martin is now Brownlow Medal favourite.

DUSTIN Martin should book an appointment with a speech writer.

The Brownlow Medal is the explosive Richmond midfielder’s to lose.

All he has to do walk the suspension tightrope for four more home-and-away games and he will be deemed the best-and-fairest player in 2017.

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And it is a tightrope for Martin. He has twice been fined this season and a third charge – no matter how minor – would automatically trigger a suspension, and Brownlow Medal ineligibility.

But with Patrick Dangerfield offered a one-match suspension for rough conduct, the equation is simple.

If Geelong accepts the sanction, Dangerfield will miss Friday night’s clash against Sydney and Martin will romp in the vote count.

Patrick Dangerfield in action against Carlton.

Dustin Martin is now Brownlow Medal favourite.

If Geelong appeals and fails at the tribunal, Martin will romp in the vote count and his Tigers will not have to contend with Dangerfield in Round 21.

If Geelong appeals and wins, Dangerfield will be free to face the Swans on Friday night and the vote count will go down to the wire.

The third option appears the least likely. And football’s night of nights is now likely to unfold in front of an awkward backdrop.

Imagine if the ineligible Dangerfield polls the most votes and, as the reigning medallist, drapes ‘Charlie’ around Martin’s neck?

Imagine if Martin the restricted free agent is still out of contract, with Tiger fans sweating he is about to take the riches on offer elsewhere and leave Punt Rd?

Imagine if Richmond is eliminated in the preliminary final, and the vote count coincides with the club’s Mad Monday?

Patrick Dangerfield received a free-kick for his tackle on Matthew Kreuzer.

Champion Data’s scientific Brownlow Medal predictor has Martin and Dangerfield neck-and-neck on 27 votes.

The Herald Sun and the AFL Coaches’ Association both have the pair well clear of any other player.

And with Dangerfield ruled out, the bookies have crunched Martin into a $1.18 favourite.

Dangerfield or no Dangerfield, Martin is enjoying a Brownlow-deserving season and could out-vote the superstar Cat regardless.

From Martin’s pulsating Round 1 performance, when he kicked four goals from 33 disposals in the season-opener, to Saturday night’s onslaught against Gold Coast he has pieced together a near-perfect season.

In 11 games he has registered 30 or more disposals, booting 15 goals in those matches alone. Martin is among the most damaging and influential players in the game.

Dustin Martin has had a Brownlow Medal quality season.

A joy to watch, it is why North Melbourne – among others – are prepared to shell out north of $1 million per season for six years for his services.

The MRP twist has thrown yet another major twist into the most unpredictable season on record.

Without Dangerfield, the Brownlow Medal vote count will likely be a bore. But it will be worth staying up for Martin’s acceptance speech.

Get on the phone, Dusty. You’ve got some writing to do.

CHAMPION DATA’S BROWNLOW MEDAL PREDICTOR

1. Patrick Dangerfield* (Gee) 27.3 votes

2. Dustin Martin (Rich) 27.2

3. Clayton Oliver (Melb) 18.3

4. Tom Mitchell (Haw) 16

5. Marcus Bontempelli (WB) 15.5

6. Zach Merrett (Ess) 15.4

7. Trent Cotchin (Rich) 15.3

8. Rory Sloane (Ade) 15.3

9. Gary Ablett (GC) 14.9

10. Callan Ward (GWS) 14.8

HERALD SUN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1. Dustin Martin (Rich) 35 votes

2. Patrick Dangerfield (Gee) 27

3. Tom Mitchell (Haw) 23

4. Zach Merrett (Ess) 22

=5 Marcus Bontempelli (WB) 19

=5 Josh Kelly (GWS) 19

AFL COACHES ASSOCIATION CHAMPION PLAYER

1. Dustin Martin (Rich) 101

2. Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) 94

3. Tom Mitchell (Haw) 69

4. Zach Merrett (Ess) 67

5. Dayne Zorko (BL) 66

TAB MARKET

1. Dustin Martin (Rich) $1.18

2. Tom Mitchell (Haw) $5.50

3. Zach Merrett (Ess) $13

4. Rory Sloane (Ade) $17

=5. Josh Kelly (GWS) $26

=5. Josh Kennedy (Syd) $26