Dustin Martin | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Dustin Martin

Having a far better year than most people realise.


Should Dustin Martin be in the All-Australian team?

Stats guru Daniel Hoyne says it’s one of the easiest calls of the year.

Dustin Martin should be a “walk-up” for this year’s All-Australian team after producing numbers never seen before by Champion Data.

But stats guru Daniel Hoyne is worried the Tigers champ will be overlooked by selectors.

“Sometimes the superstars get compared to themselves as opposed to getting compared to the competition,” the Champion Data analyst said on Pure Footy.

“He should be a walk-up – here’s your jacket, what size are you, put it on next Wednesday night.”

“It’s frustrating when you hear people say, ‘He’s had an OK year’, but he hasn’t had an OK year, he has been frightening ... Since round 14 he’s the third-best player in the competition behind only Charlie Curnow and Jack Sinclair.”

Across the season, Martin is the fourth-highest rated forward under Champion’s 100X ratings system, behind Curnow, Toby Greene and Taylor Walker.

He ranks first among all forwards for disposals – averaging 23.1 per game – contested possessions and forward-50 ground ball gets, and fifth for score involvements.

Hoyne said the numbers were even more impressive because Martin was playing only 14 per cent of game time in the midfield.

“He plays 86 per cent of his time as a forward and he’s winning 23 disposals – that has never been done in 18 years of us capturing time in position data.

“No player who has spent 85 per cent forward time or more in a season has won more ball than Dusty has this year.”
Happy to say that he is playing amazing footy
But the stats put forward are typically statistical twaddle. Who cares if he gets more disposals than Tex Walker? Game stylewise you want the forwards to have high score involvements, maybe high pressure or tackles inside 50.
Having said that, being #1 for getting the loose ball and the contested ball is an indicator that he is largely dominant in the forward line.
As is being high in score involvements. But 5th in SI isnt a walkup AA.

The fact of the matter (thanks Dimma!) is we need our mids to score goals because we dont have a Curnow or Walker or Greene.
What would show that he is having an outstanding year is to look at centre clearances. That he plays the centre square and the forward line is special (same for Petracca, Bont and Shai)
 
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Will be interesting to see who Dusty gravitates to now he has lost 2 of his buddies.
Will have to find a new huddle/theme song partner.
 
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Will be interesting to see who Dusty gravitates to now he has lost 2 of his buddies.
Will have to find a new huddle/theme song partner.
Not that he’ll need to worry on Sunday, but I thought the same. Can’t remember the song being sung without Dusty standing next to Cotch.
 
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Probably won't happen but I'd love to see him made Captain next year.
Arguably our greatest ever deserves the honor.
Agree, it won't happen.... but I think we need to move it on from Nank (too undisciplined imo) and Dylan, who should concentrate on his own form if this is to be his last season.
Maybe Lynch or Taranto?
 
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I like big Tex but he often goes AWOL in crucial games. Dusty is the ultimate big occasion specialist.

Will watch with interest who replaces Cotch and Jack in our Holy Trinity. Tommy Lynch is obviously one IF he returns fully sound. The other certainty is TT who has been sensational for us during really difficult challenges.
 
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Often, with the added responsibility comes a 'captain tax' whereby for whatever reason(s) their form seems to suffer. I think this needs to be kept in mind when selecting the next captain(s)...
 
Often, with the added responsibility comes a 'captain tax' whereby for whatever reason(s) their form seems to suffer. I think this needs to be kept in mind when selecting the next captain(s)...

It comes down to the person you select. Some as you say probably have a reduction to output due to the weight of responsibility, others thrive under that responsibility. I think you could be right on some, Grimes is a prime example of the former, reckon Nank and Cotch are probably in the latter category.

I'd probably go into next season with Nank as sole captain, with TT and Bakes as his VC's. Reckon all 3 could thrive with the added responsibility.
 
I would make him Captain next year. The fact he doesn't speak to the media makes him an even better choice. Think he'll be a great leader for the young players and the new coach.
 
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Daniel Hoyne - Champion Data

“It’s frustrating when you hear people say, ‘He’s had an OK year’, but he hasn’t had an OK year, he has been frightening ... Since round 14 he’s the third-best player in the competition behind only Charlie Curnow and Jack Sinclair.”

Across the season, Martin is the fourth-highest rated forward under Champion’s 100X ratings system, behind Curnow, Toby Greene and Taylor Walker.

He ranks first among all forwards for disposals – averaging 23.1 per game – contested possessions and forward-50 ground ball gets, and fifth for score involvements.
Campaigner sounds like he doesnt know already what we have known for years that Tiger King is the GOAT!!
 
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I would make him Captain next year. The fact he doesn't speak to the media makes him an even better choice. Think he'll be a great leader for the young players and the new coach.
Don't know who the Skippa should be but I know one thing!!

We Only Want One FFS!!!
 
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I would make him Captain next year. The fact he doesn't speak to the media makes him an even better choice. Think he'll be a great leader for the young players and the new coach.
I don’t think the media thing is as big a deal as people make out. Nank and Dylan didn’t do a lot of it, either. Coming around to Dusty being captain.
 
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I don’t think the media thing is as big a deal as people make out. Nank and Dylan didn’t do a lot of it, either. Coming around to Dusty being captain.
If Dusty wanted to be captain it would be the best thing ever for the club. The bloke works so hard on himself and if he applies that to leadership along with just the innate respect everyone would have who wouldn’t copy the things he does that makes him successful. Who knows the man’s mind though.
 
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Captaincy should be up to club esp playing group as they’re the ones who have to work with those captains the most. Playing group are looking in a different direction due to on/off field relationships others bring

Chief however will sway this in Martin direction which no one should just get the gig so they have it on their resume. Heck look at dangermouse
 
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Probably his last season. Just let Dusty play and hope for the best.

Not suited at all to Captaincy.

Dusty is to captaincy as Balta is to forward craft.
 
If Dusty wanted to be captain it would be the best thing ever for the club. The bloke works so hard on himself and if he applies that to leadership along with just the innate respect everyone would have who wouldn’t copy the things he does that makes him successful. Who knows the man’s mind though.

I think the good captains set the standard and leads by example on the field, and steps up in those critical phases of a game - what better player could we have to do that for the tigers - every player would walk taller with Dusty leading the way.

He is already a leader in his own right.
 
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