Richmond: 2020 AFL Premiers

TWO OUT of three ain't bad, but three out of four is a whole other level. 

Richmond has claimed back-to-back premierships, and made it three of the last four flags, after coming from behind to beat Geelong by 31 points in the historic first ever Toyota AFL Grand Final at the Gabba. It etched the Tiger dynasty into football history as one of the most dominant sides of this century. 

Dustin Martin, Richmond's inimitable, incredible midfielder, also made history by becoming the first player to win three Norm Smith Medals as the best on ground in the 12.9 (81) to 7.8 (50) win by booting four goals from 21 disposals.

The under lights Gabba clash had it all: injury carnage, a remarkable recovery, a comeback, two stretchers, pitch invaders, pyrotechnics and an entertainment package that will make the debate for day Grand Finals a harder sell in 2021. 

But mainly it again illustrated the brilliance of Martin and the Tigers, who came from 15 points down at half-time to secure their 13th flag and first consecutive flag since their 1973-4 triumphs. It was their third premiership under coach Damien Hardwick and skipper Trent Cotchin. 

After more than 110 days on the road living in Queensland after COVID-19's second wave forced the competition to relocate out of Victoria, the Tigers will return with the premiership cup later this week after storming home in the second half. 

Gary Ablett's farewell did not go as hoped, with the champion Cat injuring his shoulder in the opening minutes immediately after Tigers defender Nick Vlastuin was concussed in a wild piece of play. 

Ablett returned later in the quarter after receiving medical attention in the rooms, but continued to nurse the injury throughout the game, struggling to use his arm for the rest of the night and enduring serious pain throughout. His hope of ending his glittering 357-game career with a third flag was dashed as the Tigers booted nine goals to two in the second half. 

In a game full by superstars on both sides, it was Richmond's who rose to the occasion. Martin was again exceptional, following his 2017 and 2019 deciders with another standout game. The game's best player proved it with a high-impact game across half-forward, while Patrick Dangerfield, Geelong's own match-winner, was subdued. Geelong Coleman medallist Tom Hawkins kicked one goal from 10 disposals, with Mitch Duncan (25 disposals, one goal) the Cats' best. 

There was drama everywhere in the first term. Six minutes into the game it changed: Vlastuin was knocked out by a stray Dangerfield elbow (which will certainly come under Match Review Officer scrutiny) and in the following contest Ablett's shoulder dislocated as he was tackled by Cotchin. 

As Vlastuin was taken by stretcher from the field, Ablett left cradling his arm. The shock left the players and crowd stunned, and after a six-minute break in the game, it resumed to more action, including two fans who ran onto the field that almost got involved in the play. 

Although the Tigers kicked the first two goals, the Cats settled to take a one-point lead into the first change. Ablett, too, returned to the field – a sight that looked unimaginable minutes earlier after what appeared set to be an anticlimactic end to his phenomenal career. 

Geelong took that momentum into the second term, dominating Richmond in the pressure stakes and using their strength at the contest to push aside the Tigers. The Tigers, so renowned for their tenacious attack, were being beaten at their own game. 

The Cats kicked three goals to one in the quarter but should have been further ahead after some straightforward misses. They are sprayed kicks which will linger in the minds of the Cats well beyond the final siren. 

Richmond's single goal came via Martin – an astonishing snap while fending off some Cats opponents – with the Tigers struggling in attack. 

Key forward pair Tom Lynch and Jack Riewoldt combined for one kick in the first half as Geelong's defence, led by the insurmountable Tom Stewart and veteran Harry Taylor, controlled proceedings. 

But Richmond wasn't done. Riewoldt kicked the opening goal of the third term after a free kick, before a Jason Castagna outswinger curled through. Martin's brilliance again rose to the top, with the key Tiger's on-the-run checkside trickling through to give Richmond a two-point edge by three-quarter time.

The Tigers powered home in the final quarter, kicking five goals to one to end up comfortable premiers. The final goal came, of course, via Martin in the last two minutes, who shrugged off a tackle from Dangerfield pinned up against the boundary line and snapped an amazing goal. In doing so, the Tigers’ tattooed champion confirmed his status as perhaps the best big-game player in football history. 

RICHMOND     2.1     3.2     7.4     12.9     (81)

GEELONG        2.2     5.5     6.8     7.8     (50)

GOALS

Richmond: Martin 4, Prestia 2, Riewoldt 2, Castagna, Lambert, Lynch, McIntosh

Geelong: Menegola 2, Dangerfield, Duncan, Guthrie, Hawkins, Miers

BEST

Richmond: Martin, Short, Edwards, Prestia, Cotchin, Bolton

Geelong: Duncan, Stewart, Selwood, Menegola, Dahlhaus

INJURIES

Richmond: Vlastuin (concussion), Houli (calf)

Geelong: Ablett (shoulder), Simpson (concussion)

Richmond: 2019 AFL Premiers

RICHMOND waited 37 long years for premiership success.

It now has two flags in three seasons.

The 'Dimma Dynasty' started on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the MCG. It was just as invigorating and exciting two years on, as Damien Hardwick's remarkable group brushed aside Grand Final rookies Greater Western Sydney on its way to an emphatic 89-point win.

The Tigers tackled, harassed and drove forward with the relentlessness they have become renowned for throughout their three years of dominance, inspired by an unstoppable mix of genius coaching, tremendous individual talent and astonishing team cohesion.

Richmond's 17.12 (114) to 3.7 (25) Grand Final victory was the product of that combination – a demonstration of all that has made it the best team of 2019.

Hardwick thwarted his opposite number Leon Cameron, particularly in an outstanding second-quarter display where the Tigers completely overwhelmed the Giants in all areas of the ground to kick five unanswered goals and lay the foundations for their emphatic win.

He also had the players to execute his vision.

Dustin Martin, once again, was sublime. Whether it was in the midfield, where he collected 22 disposals and three clearances, or forward, where he slotted four goals and had eight score involvements, he was the game's most influential figure.

DUSTY'S DOUBLE Martin in elite company with second Norm Smith

A second Norm Smith Medal – making him just the fourth player to be a dual winner of the award behind Gary Ayres, Andrew McLeod and Luke Hodge – was just reward for his stunning display, as the Richmond favourite etched his name in the record books.

Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch – the League's most dominant forward duo – combined for seven goals. Riewoldt had three in the second quarter alone and finished with five for the match, while Lynch was a constant presence to haul down seven big marks.

Bachar Houli (26 disposals) and Dion Prestia (22 disposals) were their prolific selves, while Shane Edwards, Kane Lambert and Nick Vlastuin were also typically consistent.

Then there was the Grand Final debutant, Marlion Pickett. One game, one flag.

The 27-year-old was lively, involved and, at times, special. He repaid Hardwick's faith and then some, finishing with 22 disposals, eight inside 50s, nine score involvements and a maiden AFL goal on an unforgettable afternoon for the club's boom recruit.

But the manner in which they were able to showcase their individual flair, without ever straying from Hardwick's methodical and trained system, was evident from the outset.

In fact, it helped stamp their authority on the contest.


While the Giants had become renowned for their pressure throughout September, it was the Tigers who were turning the tables throughout the opening stages on Saturday.

They hunted in packs, chased relentlessly and tackled as though their lives depended on it.

The only problem was, they couldn't take advantage of their dominance.

Richmond kicked three behinds from its first 10 entries to start the match, allowing GWS to regain some composure and resulting in a nervous period of flux for both sides.

Turnovers and lamentable mistakes became the order of the day, until Jeremy Cameron flushed a shot from beyond 50m for the game's first goal – 21 minutes into the match.

All of a sudden, the Tigers needed a spark. Enter Martin.

Pushed deep forward, he wriggled clear of Heath Shaw, marked strongly and bent his shot around the corner to eventually get the yellow and black faithful back on their feet.

Daniel Rioli followed it with a bomb on the buzzer and the momentum carried Richmond into the break and beyond, as the Tigers stormed away with the contest.


Pickett was blind-turning tacklers, Jason Castagna was leaping above defenders, Riewoldt was bending them around corners and Dusty was just being Dusty.

The result was a 35-point lead in a flash by half-time.

Each Tiger goal – all five of them, kicked one after the other – was met with exceedingly raucous cheers, as the Punt Road end celebrated what was quickly becoming inevitable.

The Giants went some way to stemming the bleeding by the break. However, in reality, they quite simply couldn't lay a glove on the Tigers. They were held goalless for the entirety of the second quarter, as a disaster unfolded in front of them.



But if they thought the main change would end the nightmare, they were wrong.

Lynch added the first of the second half, before Martin snapped another from deep inside the boundary. The third was the cream on top of a yellow and black cake.

Martin delivered to Pickett, who slotted his first goal in senior footy in typically calm fashion. All 18 Richmond players on the field immediately swarmed the debutant.

THE MOMENT Debutant's maiden goal hands Tigers a Hollywood ending


Pickett adds to the perfect story
It became a training drill for the Tigers, who ultimately booted 11 straight goals – the large majority of which were slotted under very little pressure – before the Giants responded.

But the response was tame, to say the least.

TEN THINGS WE LEARNED GWS decision backfires, Tiger courage rewarded

While youngster Tim Taranto (30 disposals, seven tackles) fought hard all day and veteran Shaw (29 disposals, 14 marks) was tireless, it was unsurprisingly not enough.

And with a 62-point deficit at three-quarter time, there was little left to play for late.

Instead, it became a Richmond party, as players lined up for their shot at goal. They added five more in the final term, with captain Trent Cotchin's – delivered from beyond 50m out after a couple of bounces – resulting in perhaps the biggest cheer of the afternoon.


Captain Cotch joins the Tigers' party
The final siren mirrored that joy, sparking yet more wild scenes of Richmond celebrations.

Once a rarity, September success now seems like a regular Tiger occurrence.



RICHMOND                                2.3     7.5     12.9     17.12     (114)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     1.2     1.6     2.7     3.7     (25)

GOALS
Richmond: Riewoldt 5, Martin 4, Lynch 2, Rioli, Soldo, Pickett, Lambert, Bolton, Cotchin
Greater Western Sydney: Cameron, Hopper, Himmelberg

BEST
Richmond: Martin, Riewoldt, Prestia, Pickett, Edwards, Vlastuin, Houli
Greater Western Sydney: Taranto, Shaw, Haynes, Hopper, Williams

NORM SMITH MEDAL VOTING
15 - Dustin Martin, Richmond - 33333
6 - Bachar Houli, Richmond - 222
4 - Marlion Pickett, Richmond - 211
3 - Jack Riewoldt, Richmond - 111
2 - Dion Prestia, Richmond - 2

Judges voting (3, 2, 1)
Alastair Lynch (Chair) - D. Martin, B. Houli, J. Riewoldt
Chris Johnson - D. Martin, D. Prestia, J. Riewoldt
Matthew Lloyd - D. Martin, B. Houli, M. Pickett
Bruce McAvaney - D. Martin, B. Houli, M. Pickett
Angela Pippos - D. Martin, M. Pickett, J. Riewoldt

INJURIES
Richmond: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Ryan, Chamberlain

Official crowd: 100,014 at the MCG

Richmond's 12 VFL/AFL premierships, ranked by winning margin
SEASON GRAND FINAL MARGIN NORM SMITH MEDALLIST
2019 Richmond 17.12 (114) d Greater Western Sydney 3.7 (25) 89 points Dustin Martin (Rich)
1980 Richmond 23.21 (159) d Collingwood 9.24 (78) 81 points Kevin Bartlett (Rich)
2017 Richmond 16.12 (108) d Adelaide 8.12 (60) 48 points Dustin Martin (Rich)
1974 Richmond 18.20 (128) d North Melbourne 13.9 (87) 41 points Kevin Sheedy (Rich)*
1934 Richmond 19.14 (128) d South Melbourne 12.17 (89) 39 points -
1969 Richmond 12.13 (85) d Carlton 8.12 (60) 25 points Michael Green (Rich)*
1973 Richmond 16.20 (106) d Carlton 12.14 (86) 20 points Kevin Bartlett (Rich)*
1920 Richmond 7.10 (52) d Collingwood 5.5 (35) 17 points -
1932 Richmond 13.14 (92) d Carlton 12.11 (83) 9 points -
1967 Richmond 16.18 (114) d Geelong 15.15 (105) 9 points Bill Goggin (Geel)*
1921 Richmond 5.6 (36) d Carlton 4.8 (32) 4 points -
*Voted best and fairest before the Norm Smith Medal was presented from 1979

Mr. Brightside

Coming out of my cage

And I've been doing just fine

Gotta gotta be down

Because I want it all

It started out with a kiss

How did it end up like this

It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss

Now I'm falling asleep

And she's calling a cab

While he's having a smoke

And she's taking a drag

Now they're going to bed

And my stomach is sick

And it's all in my head

But she's touching his chest

Now, he takes off her dress

Now, let me go

I just can't look its killing me

And taking control

Jealousy, turning saints into the sea

Swimming through sick lullabies

Choking on your alibis

But it's just the price I pay

Destiny is calling me

Open up my eager eyes

Cause I'm Mr Brightside

I'm coming out of my cage

And I've been doing just fine

Gotta gotta be down

Because I want it all

It started out with a kiss

How did it end up like this

It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss

Now I'm falling asleep

And she's calling a cab

While he's having a smoke

And she's taking a drag

Now they're going to bed

And my stomach is sick

And it's all in my head

But she's touching his chest

Now, he takes off her dress

Now, let me go

'Cause I just can't look its killing me

And taking control

Jealousy, turning saints into the sea

Swimming through sick lullabies

Choking on your alibi

But it's just the price I pay

Destiny is calling me

Open up my eager eyes

'Cause I'm Mr Brightside.

I never

I never

I never

I never...

Richmond Tigers: 2017 AFL Premiers

AFTER 37 long years Richmond has finally bared its fangs on Grand Final day again, mauling a lacklustre Adelaide with the relentless pressure that has become its trademark this September to seal an inspired 48-point premiership triumph before 100,021 fans at the MCG.

The Tigers sealed their 11th flag – and first since 1980 – with a run of seven unanswered goals from early in the second quarter that had the Crows staggering on the ropes just 10 minutes into the third term.

Richmond led by 28 points at that stage, having kept the Crows goalless for a quarter and a half. And when Taylor Walker finally broke Adelaide's goal drought with a 40m set shot midway through the third term, the Tigers swiftly killed off any hopes of a Crows comeback, rattling on the next four goals to take an unassailable 45-point lead early in the final term that had even the most pessimistic Richmond fans daring to believe.

Adelaide got three late consolation goals but nothing could take the gloss off Richmond's 16.12 (108) to 8.12 (60) triumph that Tigers fans had been dreaming about – often without much genuine hope – for a football eternity.

Adelaide's star-studded forward line loomed as a potential spoiler to the Tigers' fairytale, but Damien Hardwick's men provided the latest supporting argument for the football adage that defence wins premierships.

Alex Rance (11 possessions and six marks, three contested) was outstanding despite being manned by Crows forward Andy Otten, and was clearly best on ground when the game was at its fiercest in the first half.

Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin capped off a fairytale year for himself and his club when he won the Norm Smith Medal after starring with 29 possessions, six clearances and two goals.

David Astbury kept Walker to just two goals and little of his usual influence, while Dylan Grimes and Nick Vlastuin conspired to shut down dangerous goalsneaks Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron, and Bachar Houli (25 possessions and four rebound 50s) provided much of Richmond's defensive rebound.

The Tigers smashed the Crows in contested possessions (170-140) and won the clearances (45-39), thanks largely to the stoppage work of Martin, Dion Prestia (27 possessions and three centre clearances) and Shane Edwards (25 possessions and seven clearances).

Jack Graham was only teenager playing on Saturday but was not overawed by the occasion, kicking three goals in the opening three quarters, while Jack Riewoldt and the Tigers' army of small forwards harassed Adelaide's defenders all day as Richmond finished with 11 separate goalkickers.

Hardwick said his team's pressure was "a little bit off" in the first quarter, but improved from there.

"They were probably kicking more, so we couldn't exert that influence, but then we started to get going. We know if we play a certain way we're going to give ourselves a chance to win," Hardwick said.

"It's funny, I was speaking to Clarko on Monday night about the eeriness to the 2008 Hawks. I think in 2008 the Hawks lost to Richmond in about round 20 and played their best football thereafter.

"We lost to Geelong round (21) and then we just went whack, whack, whack, whack, whack, whack.

"We learned a lot of lessons from the games that we lost and we played our best footy when it mattered most."

The Tigers' win came on the back of a 13th-place finish in 2016 that had many calling for the coach's head.

But Hardwick kept his head and held his nerve, simplifying the Tigers' game play over the 2017 pre-season to take advantage of their pace and, after Ben Griffiths' lingering concussion issues, fashioned an unfashionable attack around 'Jack and his midgets'.

Before this season, the Tigers had not won a final since 2001, having lost elimination finals under Hardwick from 2013-15.

In defeating the Crows, Richmond continued a perfect record in return matches against teams that defeated it earlier in the season.

On Saturday, the Tigers avenged their 76-point thumping by the Crows in round six at Adelaide Oval, having earlier avenged losses to Fremantle, Greater Western Sydney, St Kilda and Geelong. Richmond did not have return matches against its round seven conquerors, the Western Bulldogs, or Sydney, who defeated it in round 13.

Crows coach Don Pyke said his team's effort simply wasn't good enough.

"One of the things that is very hard from a coaching viewpoint is to provide effort. The players are responsible for effort. We try and encourage that, we try and demand that," Pyke said.

"We tried to do some structural things, but you're trying to put a patch on what's a fair wound, and when you're talking minus 25 (in contested possessions) in the third quarter, which is why we value it as a stat, and in fairness, a stat we've been very good at all year, that's probably the most disappointing part.

"It's an area of our game that we felt coming in we were strong and we didn't deliver today."

Life, death and a flag: meet the Tiger Army

On a nightmare day for the Crows, midfielders Matt Crouch (37 possessions and five clearances), Brad Crouch (29 and seven) and Rory Sloane (21 possessions and two goals) never stopped trying, Rory Laird (27 possessions at 88 per cent efficiency) tried to generate run from half-back, and Sam Jacobs dominated Toby Nankervis in the ruck contests, even if his midfielders could not take advantage of his tap work.

The Crows made the better start on Saturday. Sloane kicked the game's opening goal with a 40m set shot at the four-minute mark of the first term, then Betts added another a minute later when he capitalised on a Vlastuin fumble to run into an open goal.

The Tigers looked to be suffering some early Grand Final nerves and, although they had their share of the play, were struggling to get on the scoreboard, with spearhead Riewoldt kicking three consecutive behinds in less than four minutes.

Finally, at the 16-minute mark, Josh Caddy kicked their first goal and when Houli added another four minutes later the Tigers led for the first time, two points up on the Crows.

However, superb crumbing goals from Sloane and Hugh Greenwood late in the term sent Adelaide into the first break 11 points up.

The MCG's lights were switched on at the start of the second quarter as Melbourne skies clouded over, with rain starting to fall soon after.

The Crows had the first two scoring shots of the second term – behinds to Betts and Tom Lynch – but it was the Tigers' term from there.

With their tackling and chasing rising to 11 on the pressure-meter, Richmond piled on four unanswered goals, the first at the four-minute mark, when Riewoldt finally broke his duck with a 40m snap that was confirmed after a video review.

Jacob Townsend put the Tigers within two points midway through the term when he converted from 45m after a questionable holding free kick was paid against Jake Lever.

Graham and Martin then goaled in quick succession late in the quarter – Graham after a clever snap on the run, Martin following a strong mark in front of Luke Brown – to send the Tigers into half-time with a nine-point lead.


ADELAIDE       4.2     4.7      5.10     8.12       (60)
RICHMOND     2.3     6.4     11.8     16.12     (108)

GOALS
Adelaide: Sloane 2, Walker 2, Betts, Greenwood, B. Crouch, Cameron
Richmond: Graham 3, Townsend 2, Martin 2, Riewoldt 2, Caddy, Houli, Grigg, Lambert, Castagna, Prestia, Butler

BEST
Adelaide: M. Crouch, Jacobs, B. Crouch, Sloane, Laird
Richmond: Martin, Rance, Houli, Astbury, Prestia, Edwards, Graham, Grimes

INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Richmond: Rioli (ankle)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Stevic, Meredith, Ryan

Official crowd: 100,021 at the MCG

Dustin Martin: 2017 AFL Brownlow Medal Winner

RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin has lived up to his unbackable pre-count billing by claiming a record-breaking Brownlow Medal victory at Crown Palladium on Monday night.

Martin, the shortest-priced favourite in history at $1.03, polled a record 36 votes – excluding 1976-77, when two umpires awarded separate votes – to win by 11 from Hawk Tom Mitchell (25) and Sydney's Josh Kennedy (23).


The 26-year-old had a share of the award by round 21 and could not be beaten a round later, when he already had 30 votes to his name.

Martin's 11th set of three votes in the final round saw him break reigning winner Patrick Dangerfield's record haul of 35 votes from last year.

It also gave him the most three-vote performances in Brownlow history, passing the nine best-on-grounds polled by Greg Williams (1994), Nat Fyfe (2015) and Dangerfield (2016).

"It's a pretty surreal position to be in, obviously getting the (Brownlow) Medal and being in a Grand Final, so it's pretty awesome," Martin said.

"Ever since back in the day I knew this (playing in the AFL) was all I ever wanted to do, so I put everything into it and I'm glad it's paying off.

"Every year you learn new things in the game; whether it be better diet or a bit more cross-training or a bit of meditation here and there – finding new things to make you better."

The player who went 2,877 days between Brownlow votes

But Dangerfield's ineligible status was the elephant in the room. His round 19 suspension for a dangerous tackle on Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer spoiled what could have been a spectacular race.



There were murmurs when Dangerfield shot four votes ahead of Martin on the back of 22 votes in an extraordinary eight-game stretch between rounds nine and 17. The champion Cat finished with 33 votes.

"He is a champion, Paddy. I have great respect for him, but it would have been a bit awkward if he beat me … so it's a bit of a relief there's no awkwardness," Martin said.

10 talking points: Dusty opens up, Mark of the Year shock, unloved Cat

Martin's ability to block out the constant discussion about his dominance and, until recently, his out-of-contract status remains part of the fascination about him as a footballer and person.

But the man himself says it's a cinch.

"As soon as I get into the footy club, and out there on the 'G, all I'm thinking about is footy. The rest is just noise," he said.

"I've probably just got to deal with (the attention) and cop it. I don't spend too much time thinking about it – I'm just here to play footy.

"It will just be business as usual tomorrow when I get into the club, and for the rest of the week. Hopefully we can celebrate with a premiership this week."

Martin hailed Tigers captain and former housemate Trent Cotchin's impact on his life, as well as his rockstar manager Ralph Carr and coaches Damien Hardwick, Blake Caracella and Andrew McQualter.

Ex-Richmond assistants Wayne Campbell and Mark Williams also scored a mention.

The winning margin, which beat fellow Tiger and dual Brownlow medallist Roy Wright's 10-vote triumph in 1954, gave weight to Hall of Famer Leigh Matthews' claim Martin's was the best individual season ever.

Martin's night began in perfect fashion, receiving maximum votes in Richmond's season opener for his 33 disposals, six clearances, six inside 50s and four goals against Carlton.

But he took an early backseat to fast-starting Crow Rory Sloane, who had 12 votes through six rounds. Sloane managed only eight more.

Martin rocketed into the outright lead for the first time in round 11 with the fifth of his 11 three-vote performances, and from there his greatest opponent was history.



He polled in 14 of his 22 games to break Dangerfield's overall tally of 35 from last year. Dangerfield polled in 15 matches in 2016, relegating Martin to third.

Martin is bidding to be the 14th player to achieve the Brownlow-premiership double in the same season, with the Tigers playing in their first Grand Final in 35 years on Saturday against Adelaide.

The boy from Castlemaine averaged 30.2 disposals, kicked 32 goals and ranked first in the AFL in inside 50s, centre clearances and broken tackles and third in contested possessions.

Martin ended months of speculation when he signed a new seven-year deal, reportedly worth between $1.2 and $1.3 million a season, on finals eve to remain at Punt Rd.

"It was certainly stressful," he said of his contract saga.

"By the end of it, I was sick of everyone talking about it, sick of my ugly face being in the paper every day. Ralph was great to me.

"I pretty much lived at his house towards the end, I'm just glad it got done."

2017 Brownlow Medal top 10

36 - Dustin Martin (Rich)
33 - Patrick Dangerfield (Geel) *
25 - Tom Mitchell (Haw)
23 - Josh Kennedy (Syd)
22 - Lance Franklin (Syd)
21 - Josh Kelly (GWS)
20 - Rory Sloane (Adel)
19 - Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
18 - Ollie Wines (PA)
17 - Dayne Beams (BL)

* ineligible

Dustin Martin's stellar season

Brownlow medallist
AFL Players Association MVP
AFL Coaches Association Player of the Year
Player of the Year: Herald Sun, SEN, 3AW
11 three-vote games (R1 v Carlton, R3 v West Coast, R9 v Greater Western Sydney, R10 v Essendon, R11 v North Melbourne, R15 v Port Adelaide, R17 v Brisbane Lions, R18 v Greater Western Sydney, R19 v Gold Coast, R22 v Fremantle, R23 v St Kilda)
Averaged 30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six clearances, six inside-50s, four tackles and a goal each game
Set new AFL record for most broken tackles (68) and tied record for most in a single game (seven in round 15 win over Port Adelaide)
Achieved career-high clearances (15 in round three win over West Coast) and inside 50s (12 in round 17 win over Brisbane)
Most inside 50s this season (147 at six per game)
Third-most contested possessions this season (340) behind leader Patrick Dangerfield
Fourth-most disposals this season (715) behind leader Matt Crouch
Fourth-most clearances this season (155) behind leader Patrick Dangerfield.