Six steps Dustin Martin can follow to deliver the perfect Brownlow Medal speech

MEMO to Dustin Martin – learn from these professionals during their big moments. Follow these six easy steps to make sure Brownlow night goes off without a hitch.

Dustin Martin is the favourite to win this year’s Brownlow Medal. Picture: Getty Images

We know he has the best “don’t argue” in the AFL, we know he can win the footy like few others and we know he is arguably the most in-demand free agent of all-time.

What we don’t know is how Dustin Martin goes with a microphone in his hand.

But following the suspension of Patrick Dangerfield, we are about to find out.

Heading into this year’s Brownlow Medal, Martin has been listed as a $1.20 favourite to take out the award, meaning he can just about start working on his victory speech.

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Just in case the usually media-quiet Dusty needs any help, we’ve prepared six easy steps to ensure his big moment goes off without a hitch.

STEP ONE: DON’T LEAVE YOUR DATE HANGING

In the moments immediately after Gillon McLachlan has read out the final votes, the winner will be greeted with cheers, high fives and handshakes.

But learn from Nat Fyfe — never leave your date hanging, especially when it comes to the kiss.

In 2015, Fyfe left his date, who was his teammate Michael Barlow, out in the cold during the big moment. Luckily, Barlow was able to recover quick enough to at least get a hug.

Not reading the signals @mbarlow21, maybe next year pic.twitter.com/Cds3L1zuPw

— haydn jones (@haydnjones84) September 28, 2015

STEP TWO: REMEMBER TO THANK YOUR DATE, NO MATTER WHAT

The lessons from the Fyfe-Barlow double act don’t stop there.

Not only was Barlow at the Brownlow as a date, he was also meant to be helping Fyfe who was recovering from a broken leg. The key word there being “helping”.

“He’s been great value, Mike. I needed someone pretty sturdy to carry my bags the last couple of days so he got the call-up,” Fyfe said on stage.

The thank you was quite generous given only a few minutes earlier Barlow had almost broken Fyfe’s walking stick while celebrating polling a vote of his own.

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA @mbarlow21 you win the night what a date pic.twitter.com/80foiax8f4

— Shibz ⚓️ (@shibz_1989) September 28, 2015

STEP THREE: THANK THE IMPORTANT PEOPLE AT YOUR CLUB

Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley showed why it is important to thank all the special people in your life. From your family to your … club president.

After his win in 2003, Buckley saved a special mention for Pies boss Eddie McGuire who had clearly been thinking about the night for a while.

“Ed, thank you mate. Ed actually told me that if I happen to get up tonight that he was going to pash me, like Madonna and Brittany Spears,” Buckley told the crowd.

“I’m just thankful he hasn’t planted one on me yet.”

McGuire, who was hosting the night for Channel 9, didn’t rule it out.

“It is still early Bucks, don’t worry.”

Dane Swan with girlfriend Taylor Wilson after winning the Brownlow Medal.

STEP FOUR: BRING EVERYTHING BACK TO FOOTBALL

Bruce McAvaney is the master of the interview and he might even throw a curly question or two at the winner.

It is important to remember that when lost for words, bring everything back to football.

After his record breaking win in 2011, Dane Swan was asked about his relationship with girlfriend Taylor Wilson.

“We met in a bar actually, funnily enough,” he said.

“That’s unlike me. She was actually visiting out from the States and I just happened to run into her out at a bar and I couldn’t get rid of her. Now she is here four years later. She is the hardest tag I’ve had.”

STEP FIVE: THE MICROPHONE IS YOURS

Once you’ve been crowned the Brownlow winner, you can pretty much get away with whatever you want. Just ask Adam Cooney.

For Cooney, this involved telling the crowd how he proposed to partner Haylea using a burger ring.

“I wasn’t going to make the mistake of buying her a ring that she did not like and I know she likes burger rings. I thought I’d slip one on her,” he said.

“We have upgraded from the burger ring which is good. I think she went out the next day and picked out a ring and rang me up and said come and pay for it. I was happy to do that.”

Cooney also took the chance to save on a phone call and thank some of his other biggest fans.

“I haven’t rung my nanna for a couple of weeks. Sorry Nanna, I will ring you soon, I promise. To my other grandparents as well, I probably don’t ring you guys enough too. Sorry.”

Adam Cooney looking a little nervous at the Brownlow Medal.

STEP SIX: LOOK OUT FOR YOUR TEAMMATES

Let’s be honest, at times there are some parts of Brownlow night that can be a bit of a grind.

This usually occurs between Round 12 and 17, just before things heat back up.

Players are often fronting up to the Brownlow Medal not long after attending a Mad Monday or post season drinks.

It is important for dates and teammates to work together to make sure no man is caught out, unlike Cat Matthew Scarlett.