The 2020 AFL season has been a year of changes - but some things will never change.
Dustin Martin, the big game specialist, will always deliver when the Tigers need it - and he did it again in another superhuman performance to give the Tigers a third premiership in four years.
Martin's freakish effort of four goals - all miraculous solo efforts - handed him the Norm Smith Medal as the Tigers ran out winners by 31-points after a second half rampage.
Martin's freakish performance headlined several historic achievements in the Tigers' victory, including:
Trent Cotchin is Richmond's first ever three-time premiership captain
Marlion Pickett has now played the fewest games (20) in AFL history to win two premierships
Martin's effort of 21 possessions and four goals sees him become just the second player - behind Barry Cable - in AFL Grand Final history to have 20 or more disposals and multiple goals in three grand finals; and
Martin is now the first player ever to win the North Smith medal for a third time after he had been tied on two with Gary Ayres, Luke Hodge and Andrew McLeod.
A humble Martin was all class in his Norm Smith medal acceptance speech.
“First of all, I would just like to thank Geelong for an awesome game," he said.
"You're an awesome club. Well done to Gaz (Gary Ablett) on your unbelievable career. To the AFL, Toyota, the government, last but not least, the Richmond footy club. Let's go.”
On the flip side, there was nothing but misery for the Cats.
Champion Gary Ablett was in tears at full time with his career ending with insult being added to injury. The Cats veteran suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter and needed to have the joint strapped up. He also went off at three quarter time for further treatment, speculated to be a pain-killing injection.
The result also leaves Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield still without a premiership.
Here's how all the drama unfolded.
Updates
Norm Smith medal voting revealed
The Norm Smith medal voting panel has handed Dustin Martin a rare perfect game where he was awarded the top votes from every voting member.
Martin won the award on the back of a perfect 15 votes.
Peter Ryan (The Age) – Dustin Martin, Jayden Short, Shane Edwards
Dustin Martin wins Norm Smith medal
Dustin Martin created history as he became the first player in AFL Grand Final history to be recognised as the best player in a grand final for a third time.
Martin's freakish performance has elevated his legacy towards folklore as he led the Tigers as they piled misery on the Cats in the second half.
His timely first goal late in the first half was also the momentum shifter that kept the Tigers in the contest before half time.His effort immediately triggered discussion around his place in history, which now sits alone in grand final pantheon.
"The legend of Martin has gone tonight," Channel 7's Bruce McAvaney said.
"It is almost impossible to feel that it could get any bigger but it has gone one more step tonight.
"Hawthorn legend and two-time Norm Smith medallist Luke Hodge responded: "I agree. We had all week building up saying he is the best finals player ever and we didn't think we could talk any more highly about this bloke.
"But he came out in a shortened game, kicks four goals, really important goals as well, when Geelong had the momentum, he stood up in the second quarter, and then the way he just turned the table in that last quarter was outstanding from him."
Many other footy commentators and stars of the game declared Martin the AFL's greatest ever finals player.
There is now clearly no doubt about it now that Dustin is the greatest big game player ever. Him and Jordan sit at the same table
Dustin Martin capped off a freakish best-on-ground-performance with his fourth goal as the Tigers ramped up their celebrations after a hard fought 31-point win.
Martin's haul led the Tigers in a second half rampage as they piled on ten goals to two after the Cats had led by 22 points in the second quarter.
The triumph could begin to sink in for the Tigers late in the fourth quarter when they jumped out to a four goal lead and they eventually emerged with a 12.9 (81) to 7.8 (50) victory.
Horrible moment as Simpson knocked out cold
Cats star Sam Simpson was knocked out cold in a marking contest.
Simpson was stretchered off the ground after the sickening collision which came as teammate Sam Menegola went back with the flight of the ball.
Simpson appeared to take an arm to his head before he landed on his head in an ugly double-whammy.
His injury forced a lengthy delay which gave the Cats a brief moment to catch their breath.
Sam Simpson is being stretchered off after a marking contest with Sam Menegola.
Richmond made it eight of the last nine goals when Dustin Martin produced another special solo effort to all-but kill off the Cats with seven minutes left in the game.
Martin broke a tackle and kicked from on the 50m arc to take his personal tally to three goals in another Norm Smith medal-winning effort.
His goal took the Tigers out to a 22-point lead after a Tigers second half rampage that the Cats simply had no answer for.
Dustin Martin has carried the Tigers to a two-point lead at three-quarter time after he produced a stunning series of highlights to start the second half.
Richmond kicked the first two goals of the second half to turn the decider on its head and set up a thrilling finish.
The Cats' lead was down to just three points after goals to Jack Riewoldt and Jason Castagna all-but saw the Cats' lead disappear.
The Cats had led by as many as 22 points in the second quarter.
Martin's second goal of the game put the Tigers in front with six minutes left in the third quarter.
Martin's ability to kick his goals in crucial moments saw many footy commentators go the early crow and hand him the Norm Smith medal – should the Tigers go on to win.
"This has flipped. They have got the Cats worried," Footy commentator Kane Cornes told SEN Radio.
"We have a game on our hands."
The Tigers led at the final change 7.4 (46) to 6.8 (44).
Geelong kicked five goals straight to lead by 22 points late in the second quarter before a Dustin Martin steadier kept the Tigers in the hunt.
It was a goal the Tigers desperately needed with the Cats making light work of the weakened Tigers' defence following injuries to Nick Vlastuin and Nathan Broad.
The Cats lead at half time 5.5 (35) to 3.2 (20).
Streakers kicked out of Gabba
A pair of streakers forced an extended delay late in the first quarter when they invaded the field of play.
One streaker was able to run through Geelong's forward 50m arc and went on to kick a goal from the goal square before being wrapped up by security.
A second streaker, who was also fully clothed, was also tackled by security and escorted off the ground.
It was later revealed the pair were online comedy act Marty and Michael.
They attempted to publicise themselves by printing their names on their T-shirts.
Son of god returns with injured shoulder
Gary Ablett is back on the field after being helped from the field grimacing in pain from a shoulder injury.
After being taken to the dressing rooms holding his left arm – the same shoulder he has previously had surgery on – Ablett returned just five minutes later.
The return of the man affectionately known as the "son of god" was met with a huge cheer from the Gabba crowd.
Despite Richmond kicking the first two goals of the game, Ablett returned to give the Cats fans a reason to smile when he took his spot inside the Cats' forward line.
However, there were two further injuries in the first quarter with Nathan Broad and Brandan Parfitt both going off injured.Earlier,
Tigers defender Nick Vlastuin suffered a sickening head injury when Patrick Dangerfield charged out and collected him across the face.
The injury saw Vlastuin stretchered from the field after a delay of more than seven minutes during which time he was motionless on the Gabba turf.
Richmond announced at quarter time Vlastuin would take no more part in the game.
Gary Ablett has been taken from the field in Nightmare start to the grand final for Geelong.
In a moment of high drama, Ablett was helped from the field with his arm in a sling position after appearing to injure his shoulder as he hit the ground after contact.
The injury on Ablett's left shoulder is the same one he has previously had surgery on.
It came just seconds after Cats superstar Patrick Dangerfield appeared to elbow Tigers defender Nick Vlastuin in the head as they charged in for a loose ball.
Dangerfield attacked the ball and led with his arm as he punched the ball away just a fraction of a second before Vlastuin would have snatched the Sherrin. Dangerfield's brief follow through saw him elbow Vlastuin in the cheek.
"Vlastuin, he's out cold behind the play here," Channel 7's Luke Hodge wrote.
As play progressed, Vlastuin was motionless on the ground. Play was eventually stopped as Vlastuin was stretchered from the ground, still not moving.
The game was delayed for more than seven minutes.
A second extended break while security took care of multiple streakers that entered the Tigers' forward fifty saw the first quarter last more than 34 minutes.
Ablett was also taken straight to the dressing room to have the shoulder injury assessed.
Daisy Pearce said of Ablett: " He's in a lot of pain. You can see him grimacing there in his face".
