Dustin Martin’s freak goal sends AFL into meltdown

Richmond star Dustin Martin sent the MCG into meltdown with a contender for goal of the year during Saturday’s clash with Hawthorn.

It’s like he never left.

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin sent the MCG into meltdown with a contender for goal of the year during Saturday afternoon’s victory over Hawthorn.

The Hawks were trailing by 12 points late in the third quarter when Tigers forward Kane Lambert expertly tackled Hawthorn defender Jack Scrimshaw.

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Martin retrieved the loose ball near the boundary line before quickly pivoting and booting the footy towards the goalposts on his weak foot.

But despite the incredibly narrow angle, Martin somehow managed to thread the Sherrin between the big sticks while surrounded by a cluster of Hawks defenders.

The 30-year-old was mobbed by his ecstatic teammates as the MCG’s 40,663 spectators went into a frenzy.

Fox Footy commentator Mark Howard branded it “one of the goals of the year”.

Dusty. Wow 🤯#AFLHawksTigerspic.twitter.com/uasI66tM51

— AFL (@AFL) May 14, 2022

That Dustin Martin might make a name for himself one day #AFLHawksTigers

— Cath Durkin (@CDurkinFOX) May 14, 2022

The Tigers ultimately claimed a 17.15 (117) to 14.10 (94) victory, their third consecutive win to temporarily climb to seventh on the AFL ladder.

Tom Lynch was one of Richmond’s best players with a game-high four goals, but he could be in match review trouble after collecting Jarman Impey in the face as the Hawk tackled him on the wing in the third quarter.

And Marlion Pickett might also be in hot water for a big hit on Dylan Moore which forced the young Hawk to be concussion-tested in the second quarter. Moore was able to continue playing.

Both teams suffered significant injuries too. Hawthorn star Jack Gunston was subbed out in the second term after injuring his ankle in a marking contest on the quarter-time siren. He tried to play on, but succumbed before time-on.

Meanwhile, Richmond defender Noah Balta was subbed out at three-quarter time after injuring his hamstring.

Dustin Martin of the Tigers celebrates kicking a goal. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Tigers fought back from 25 points down early in the second quarter to execute an impressive 48-point turnaround.

To Hawthorn’s credit, they refused to give in and kicked four goals in a row to get back within 10 points with just over two minutes to go.

However, Richmond goalsneak Jason Castagna produced the match-winning play when he smothered Denver Graingar-Barras’ rebounding kick, collected the crumbs and eventually snapped truly from the pocket.

The result sees the Tigers maintain their foothold inside the top eight, and it’s also the first time they’ve won three games in a row since they strung together five victories on the trot from the 2020 semi-final to Round 2 last year.

As for the Hawks, their honeymoon period under new coach Sam Mitchell is well and truly over. After starting the year 3-2, Hawthorn have now lost four consecutive games.

Shai Bolton was central to Richmond’s revival, finishing with 20 touches and three goals, while Martin continued his impressive return to the senior side with 20 disposals and three goals.

In the end, Richmond’s domination of the centre clearances (23-9) proved critical and their pressure was superb throughout, finishing with 21 more tackles (75-54).

— with Ronny Lerner, NCA NewsWire