WHY WE SHOULD CELEBRATE AND APPRECIATE WHAT DUSTIN MARTIN IS PUTTING TOGETHER IN 2023
BY ANDREW SLEVISON SEN
Richmond’s Dustin Martin is putting together a very strong season.
That is according to Champion Data’s numbers with leading analyst Daniel Hoyne suggesting we must celebrate what Martin is doing in 2023.
The three-time Norm Smith Medallist was below his best in both 2021 and 2022, due to multiple factors, but is back playing quality footy for the Tigers this year.
Hoyne outlined Martin’s stats as a forward and what he is doing against top eight teams as opposed to his performances against clubs outside the eight.
“I just want to celebrate what this guy’s doing,” Hoyne said on SEN’s Sportsday.
“I think quite often with someone who has performed at the levels he has for such a long time we can actually overlook what they are delivering.
“The fact that he’s played 88 per cent of forward time this year and is averaging 22 disposals, that hasn’t been done by a forward in five years.
“He’s in rare air in terms of that ability.
“The beauty about his profile at the moment is that against top eight teams, compared to bottom 10 teams, he’s performing 30 per cent better against the best.
“He’s kicked 10 goals against the best this year. Only four against the bottom 10.”
It is by no means Martin’s best overall season, but his top footy in this his 14th year has been quite fearsome for and rather damaging for opponents.
The other major string to the 32-year-old’s bow in 2023, which has been with him his entire career, is his ability to impact at the centre bounce.
“The other side to his game I want to give credit to is he’s only gone in for 53 centre bounces this year,” Hoyne added.
“He’s the number one centre bounce player in the competition.
“When he goes in there, Richmond are winning the centre bounce clearance 56 per cent of the time. AFL number 1.
“What this guy is doing, we do need to celebrate it. I understand that it is hard to compare to (his) previous seasons, but what he’s doing this year needs to be recognised.
“He could be an All-Australian smokey, still.”
All-Australian selector Kane Cornes floated Martin’s chances of picking up a fifth AA blazer.
“I reckon there’s a real opportunity - and you could call him a small forward - in that spot,” Cornes said.
“Charlie Cameron has only kicked five goals in the last five weeks. Toby Greene is enormous, tick.
“Probably Christian Petracca who has had that spot before, and if he continues to play forward that’s a problem that can be solved by putting him forward.
“But there’s a spot there.”
Hoyne says Champion Data has him right in the mix in terms of the 2023 All-Australian select.
“It’s pretty open,” Hoyne added.
“He’s fourth at the moment for his position, so he’s very, very close,”
“It’s 88 per cent forward time that he’s played this year, so if you pick him in the forward pocket, people can’t argue.”
Martin produced arguably his best game of the season when compiling 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, eight score involvements, six clearances, five inside 50s and a late sealing goal in the 13-point win over Sydney last weekend.
‘Dusty’ and the Tigers are next in action against bottom-placed West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday evening.
Why we should celebrate and appreciate what Dustin Martin is putting together in 2023
The Richmond veteran is putting together a very strong season.
www.sen.com.au
