2020 AFL grand final: Dustin Martin the man as Richmond go back-to-back

Richmond staged a stunning comeback to win their third premiership in four years, Dustin Martin winning a third Norm Smith Medal.

In a historic grand final that began with a dramatic flourish, Richmond has confirmed their greatness with a resolute 31-point triumph over Geelong at The Gabba.

The Tigers, who defended a premiership for the first time since 1974, were outpaced by Geelong until halftime but were by far the superior team after halftime.

A remarkable goal kicked by Dustin Martin from deep in the pocket with one minute remaining, with the Tiger shrugging the challenge of Patrick Dangerfield, provided a perfect snapshot of the grand final.

One superstar delivered, in the process becoming the first man in history to win a third Norm Smith Medal, while his rival champion proved ineffectual despite giving his all.

Geelong's Rhys Stanley and Gary Ablett after the loss. Picture: Sarah Reed

Martin praised the performance of his rivals and paid special tribute to the returning Ablett.

“I would just like to thank Geelong for an awesome game. You’re an awesome club,” he said. “Well done to Gaz on your unbelievable career. To the AFL, Toyota, the government, last but not least, the Richmond footy club. Let’s go.”

He had 21 possessions, ten of them won in contested fashion, and had nine score assists to go with the four goals he kicked.

It was Martin who began to turn the tide for the Tigers when he kicked a freakish goal to reduce the margin to 15 points shortly before halftime.

Geelong had been largely poised until in the opening two terms, but the goal from Martin clearly created some uncertainty going into halftime.

The Cats’ nerves came to the fore early in the third term when pressed and Richmond, a ruthless champion, seized the moment, just as their talisman did.

By three-quarter time Richmond held a two-point lead. They then kicked the opening three goals of the final term to seize complete control in a remarkable effort.

By the end of a grand final that capped the most difficult season the AFL has seen, the decider had become a victory parade for Richmond.

There would be no fairytale farewell for Gary Ablett Jnr, who suffered a serious shoulder injury early in a ferocious start that also saw Tiger Nick Vlastuin knocked unconscious.

The legend performed courageously while clearly in play and was creative at times, but it is a bitter farewell for one of the all-time greats.

Later, with the premiership seemingly within the Tigers grasp, Cat Sam Simpson also needed to be stretchered from the field when knocked out in a marking contest.

Sam Menegola kicked a goal from outside 50m when play resumed to reduce the margin to 16 points, but it proved Geelong’s last hurrah in a season they had played with resolve.

Nor does Dangerfield secure a much wanted premiership. Playing in his first grand final, the Geelong champion was the player who knocked Vlastuin in a heavy collision.

But he was not able to have an impact in attack and, with the Cats’ challenge waning, was thrust into the midfield to start the last term, to no avail.

Richmond’s third flag in four years marks them as one of the best teams of this century alongside Brisbane from 2001 to 2003, the Hawks of 2013 to 2015 and also the Cats, which managed three flags in five years between 2007 and 2011.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin and Noah Balta celebrate winning the 2020 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Getty Images

The triumph makes good on the vow Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale made a decade ago.

It had been three decades since the Tigers had won a premiership when Gale said he wanted Richmond to win three flags, surpass 75,000 members and eradicate their debt by 2020.

The promise seemed fantastical at the time. But the boldest of promises has been fulfilled.

On a history making night, Richmond captain Trent Cotchin is the first man to lead the Tigers to three premierships.

He is a superb skipper of a champion team led by an outstanding coach in Damien Hardwick, who has three premierships in charge to go with the two he won as a player.

The premiership coach said the remarkable achievement was the results of the efforts of an entire club, not simply the 22 who delivered another astonishing performance.

“You know, we started at the bottom, a mountain with everyone else, but to be the very last side on the top is an incredible journey,” he said.

“We have had an enormous amount of fun. We’ve had some incredible challenges and one thing I will say, when push comes to shove boys, you guys raise the bar. You’re an incredible side. An incredible organisation.”

He praised chief executive Brendon Gale and club president Peggy O’Neal for their stewardship.

“To Brendan and Peggy, I applaud you guys as well. And, finally, to the Tiger Army both here and far, we thank you very much. Without you guys, we don’t exist. We play for you.”

Hardwick lauded the consistency of their rivals over more than a decade, stating it was an achievement that deserved recognition.

“We admire you guys enormously (for) what you’ve been able to do over the course of the journey. You are an incredible competitor,” he said.

“That grand final today was something I think the whole AFL was looking forward to. I think we got a hell of a game. So well done. You’re a terrific organisation.”

Tigers Jayden Short and Shane Edwards gathered the ball at will in the midfield, while Shai Bolton became more creative the longer the match went.

Mitch Duncan continued his superb finals series for Geelong despite their defeat, while Geelong skipper Joel Selwood worked particularly hard.

Dylan Grimes has excelled since the retirement of Alex Rance and led the Tigers defence brilliantly, with the Cats restricted to just two second half goals.