Dustin Martin let his guard down and touched Australia’s heart

He’s one of the toughest most reclusive stars in the AFL, but in a moment of pure jubilation Dustin Martin let his guard down.

Andrew McMurtry

@AndrewMcMurtry

2 min read

October 25, 2020 - 8:46AM

The Tigers have done it again.

It must feel like there’s a thousand people to hug when the siren blows on a grand final victory - and when you’ve had more to do with that win than anyone else the line of people looking to acknowledge you is longer than the wait for a night grand final to start.

That person was Dustin Martin on Saturday night after the Richmond champion was a unanimous choice for the Norm Smith Medal after kicking four magical goals.

Martin claimed all five three-point votes as the unanimous winner of the best on ground award as Richmond beat Geelong by 31 points in Brisbane.

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The Tigers have now claimed three titles in four years, coming from 22 points down just before halftime to topple the Cats.

But in the decider of a season unlike any other, it appeared the 12.9 (81) to 7.8 (50) win meant more than most.

While there have been plenty of questions over whether the 2020 season would be tarred with an asterisk in the history books, one final eye-catching moment from Martin said it all.

After first hugging Jack Riewoldt and joining a group of teammates in a pack embrace, Martin spotted his coach Damien Hardwick entering the field.

He made a beeline for his mentor, almost brushing off a couple of others who had charged from the sidelines to reach the man who has led him to the highest of heights.

The look on the face of Martin when he embraced Hardwick must have touched the hardest of hearts before he lovingly rested his head on his coach’s shoulder.

After being quarantined in the AFL bubble for nearly 110 days, the emotion was palpable.

Dustin Martin looked near tears when embracing his coach.

After the medal presentation, Martin still didn’t know what to say.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” he said on Channel 7. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just so grateful to be a part of such an unbelievable group. I’m lost for words to be honest.

“It’s been a tough road. I couldn’t be prouder of the way we faced a bit of adversity this year and the way we stuck at it. That’s why we’re a great club.”

Martin became just the second player behind Barry Cable to have 20 disposals and multiple goals in three Grand Finals, as he booted four majors to go with 21 touches.

Asterisk smashterisk. Season of attrition and resilience. pic.twitter.com/bP3NdzvmPf
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) October 24, 2020

2017 was pure elation
2019 was redemption
2020 was the toughest/sweetest
ðŸ¯ #aflgf
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) October 24, 2020

This is the silver lining to 2020! What a performance! Itâ€™s time for a Dusty statue. #yellowandblack
— Henrietta Cook (@henriettacook) October 24, 2020

#AFLGF #gotiges pic.twitter.com/mcsvfgVK7T
— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) October 24, 2020

What a moment between Dusty and Dimma. ðŸ™ pic.twitter.com/7XeIJRTht8
— 7AFL (@7AFL) October 24, 2020

The result sees Martin become the first three-time winner of the Norm Smith Medal after a virtuoso performance.

He kicked his first major to get the Tigers back into the game after dropping 22 points behind in the second quarter.

Martin also landed a massive goal to snatch the lead in the third term, before wrapping it up with two late goals in the fourth, kicking from beyond the 50m arc into an empty goalsquare with just under eight minutes left before snapping around the corner to make it a 30-point game with a minute remaining.

Most Prelims + Grand Finals with 20 disposals and 2 goals:

6x DUSTIN MARTIN
5x
4x Barry Cable, Tim Watson
3x 10 players
2x 25 players
1x 109 players

2017 PF/GF
2019 PF/GF
2020 PF/GF#AFLTigersCats #AFLFinals @Richmond_FC
— AFL Player Stats (@StatPerPlayer) October 24, 2020

Social media went insane for the biggest of big game players as he came up huge again.

2011 Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan said: “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.”

Newcastle Herald deputy editor Xavier Mardling tweeted: “Clearly the best of Dusty’s three grand finals, I reckon. Hope (Jordan) De Goey is watching. That’s how you earn big money.”

AAP journalist Michael Ramsey added: “Dusty stamps himself as the player of his generation. Incredible and pretty much the difference between these two teams”.