Dusty Martin back in Brownlow Medal form in time to lead Richmond’s premiership charge

Dustin Martin’s blistering form is an ominous sign for Richmond’s premiership rivals and one stat proves just how dangerous the Brownlow Medallist could be come finals.

They are the Dusty “Don’t-Argues” that prove Richmond’s brilliant matchwinner is back in his marauding 2017 form.

Spring is in the air, which means Richmond’s $8 million man has found a step again on the eve of finals.

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Use all the metrics you want, but in his past two weeks the Martin fend-off has been rediscovered.

Just ask Marcus Adams and Noah Answerth, who were thrust aside as Martin kicked the sealing goal against Brisbane.

Or West Coast pair Jack Redden and Andrew Gaff the week before in yet another double Dusty Don’t Argue.

Dustin Martin fends off Geelong forward Tom Hawkins. Picture: Michael Klein.

Of course Champion Data has statistics for these things, and they show Martin had broken 15 tackles in the first 18 rounds and eight in the past fortnight alone.

Martin isn’t just flying after a quiet start to the year, he is eclipsing his 2017 performances on the last five weeks.

Martin’s 2017 season, which included the Brownlow Medal, Norm Smith Medal and premiership, saw him average 20.9 AFL ranking points, 29.8 disposals, 519 metres gained and 1.5 goals.

Since Round 18 this year, Martin has averaged 22 ranking points (up 1.1 points), 31.6 disposals (up 1.8), 635 metres gained (up 116 metres).

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In 2017 he averaged 1.7 more contested possessions and 1.4 more clearances but the fact remains his form is white-hot.

Early in the season as Martin was smashed by Matt de Boer in a 49-point loss to GWS and fined for flipping the bird, Damien Hardwick was forced to defend his form.

Dustin Martin bursts out of defence during 2017 against Collingwood. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“We can quite easily lump it on an individual or we can say there’s 22 blokes out there.

‘We can’t rely on Dustin to play to an incredible level week in week out.”

As the Tigers regained their mojo Martin has gradually turned from mediocre to excellent to spectacularly good again.

His willingness to shrug off opponents, burst forward then hit difficult kicks inside the centre corridor has been evident of these past weeks.

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Martin’s last two finals series are polar opposites — one of footy’s great Septembers then abject misery after he carried a knee injury into last year’s semi-final.

Just as Damien Hardwick needs to put in place plans for Lachie Neale after 51 possessions on Sunday, Chris Fagan will spent the week sweating about Richmond’s dominant star.