Norm Smith Medal: Dustin Martin claims second Grand Final BOG

Dustin Martin admitted he felt “empty” last year after his stunning exploits of 2017. But, on the MCG, he was back where he belongs, ending the Grand Final with a second Norm Smith Medal around his neck.

No one could argue with Dustin Martin’s Norm Smith Medal. Picture: David Caird

Dustin Martin once worried what people thought.

The expectations, the fear of not playing like he did in that perfect 2017 season, and whether could once again find fulfilment on and off the football field.

For the superstar midfielder, last season was one of the most challenging of his life as he dealt with a mental health struggle and, at times, an “empty” feeling.

You could understand, he had sort of done it all.

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No one could argue with Dustin Martin’s Norm Smith Medal. Picture: David Caird

But the exasperation of 2018 has been replaced by the exhilaration of winning a second Norm Smith Medal to go with another premiership.

Martin, 28, is now the only man in the game’s history to have two flags, a Brownlow Medal, and been best-on ground twice in a pressure-packed Grand Final.

As much as we were drawn to the Marlion Pickett story, and that unforgettable blind turn in the middle of a sun-drenched MCG, Martin also added another incredible chapter to his career snagging four goals and 22 possessions in Richmond’s 89-point premiership rout.

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Clearly, the man with the best fend-off in footy is back on top of the game he loves.

“The way he can influence a game is incredible,” coach Damien Hardwick said.

“He works really hard both physically and mentally on his game and he makes us so proud.

“He will go down now as one of the all-time greats.”

Martin is now in Luke Hodge territory in terms of his big-game status after becoming only the fourth player in the game to pocket a second Norm Smith Medal, joining Gary Ayres, Andrew McLeod and Hodge.

Welcome to the club Dusty!!#Champion👊🏾

— Andrew McLeod (@bunji_XXIII) September 28, 2019

He was dynamite in the forward half, Dusty, and curled home his third goal with a deadly snap from near the point post in the third term, after picking up a Daniel Rioli handball off the ground.

But his best moment, later in that third term, was something even Hardwick said he would cherish forever.

Lined up with a shot near the 50m line, Martin looked only in Pickett’s direction and found the debutant in open space straight in front of goal.

“I was a little bit tired and I thought he (Pickett) might have been a little bit too far out for me,” Martin said.

“But I saw him out the corner of my eye and I gave him a little nod and he worked his way into a bit of space.

“For the club to give him second chance, we all make mistakes, I couldn’t be prouder of the club.”

What a moment for the man whose life was in turmoil as a teenager when he was sent to jail for more than two years for some burglary offences.

Here’s Martin, who didn’t finish school, and Pickett, back from the brink, having the time of their lives at the home of football.

Martin said what he loves most about the Tigers is the selfless attitude which drives everyone.

“I’m lucky enough today to get the recognition but the thing that I love about this footy club is we don’t actually care who gets the touches and who kicks the goals,” Martin said.

Yes 2017 was almost the perfect season from Martin, but is it tougher to climb Mt Everest a second time, considering you’ve already taken in the view before?

Teammate Shaun Grigg said yesterday’s win may taste even sweeter for Martin than the first flag.

“He won a Norm Smith medal in 2017 playing in the midfield, wining clearances,” Grigg said.

“But playing in the front half today he has won another one as more of a forward.

“He just rises to the occasion, the bigger the better for him.”

Dusty celebrates with the boys after a final-term goal. Picture: AAP

Martin is a more mature person, he says, and as damaging on the field as he ever has been.

When Pickett kicked to him from the wing in the second term, Martin just read the ball better as he tucked in behind his nervous opponent and slotted his second.

Not long after that, it was party time.

And Martin now has one of the best resumes going around, after making the decision to stay at Punt Rd a few years ago, in the face of a monster offer from North Melbourne.

What a good call, as they look to poach a third premiership in 2020.

Hardwick said he has learned more from Martin, than the player has from his coach.

“The things that we speak about consistently like mindfulness and connection, he has had that in spades for a long, long time,” Hardwick said.

“He was ahead of the curve.”