Dustin Martin blocked out Grand Final pressure to deliver, like Cathy Freeman did at Sydney Olympics

DUSTIN Martin was the face of Grand Final week, but blocked out the pressure to deliver on the biggest stage, just like Cathy Freeman did at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Dustin Martin like Cath Freeman? It’s not as far-fetched as you might think.

IT was like school was out.

Dustin Martin has been on his best behaviour. Over the past month we’ve all been drawn to this previously shy and mysterious figure.

His interview on The Footy Show after his re-signing gave a glimpse of his personality and then his very funny dealings with Bruce McAvaney on Brownlow Medal night was a highlight.

What we gleaned was a sense of humour and far more smarts than what he’d previously been given credit for.

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Dustin Martin handled the pressure, delivered on the biggest stage and then got the party started. Picture: Getty Images

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On Saturday he did what no Brownlow Medallist had been able to do previously, backing up getting Charlie by winning a premiership and the Norm Smith Medal.

It takes a special kind of personality to block out all that pressure and still deliver.

A good comparison is Cathy Freeman. She was the face of the Sydney 2000 Games, the star of the opening ceremony who then went on and delivered a memorable 400m gold medal.

Dusty has been the star of this unlikely premiership team, he was the face of grand final week and then got the AFL’s version of a gold medal at the end of the game.

After Cathy did it, she checked out. Once the pressure valve was released, she never rediscovered her mojo and was retired within two years.

Cathy Freeman had the weight of a nation on her shoulders — and boy, did she deliver. Picture: Hamish Blair

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While we’re not saying Dusty is about to hang up the boots, that valve is being released.

At Punt Rd yesterday he was the undoubted star of the show although Jack Riewoldt and new cult hero Jack Graham pushed him for cheers from the assembled faithful.

How he celebrated was a subject of much intrigue.

It’s fair to say this stems from his past where he’s been known to be enthusiastic with his downtime — Who can forget Chopstickgate?

“They were very good last night,” Martin said about the previous evening’s activities.

He was then asked what he had planned with his good friend, renowned party animal Dane Swan: “I just left his joint so I’ll be back there soon.”

A bizarre question about improving his golf game followed — apparently it was an inside joke with club legend Matthew Richardson.

“I only like golf because you can have a few beers,” he said.

The naughty schoolboy act started after he’d taken his place back with his teammates who were standing arm-in-arm on the small stage.

Best mates Dustin Martin and Dane Swan partied hard after the Grand Final.

When host Tiffany Cherry was interviewing captain Trent Cotchin, Dusty decided it was time to have some fun.

His heavily tattooed fingers appeared behind Cotchin’s head with the famous rabbit ears gesture being beamed to the four large screens around the ground.

As Cotchin tried to give some serious answers, Dusty had his mates and most of the crowd in stitches with his floating fingers.

“Can I throw Dusty off the stage?” Cotchin said at one point before attempting to lift him up.

Coach Damien Hardwick was next and he started his speech with: “If one finger comes above my head Dusty, look out.”

That worked momentarily but the naughty schoolkid wouldn’t be stopped.

Not that anyone at Richmond will care what Dusty does, in fact he has a free pass for the rest of his life at Tigerland.

That could come in handy given his apparent holiday destination . . . Las Vegas with Swanny.

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