Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has become the first person in VFL/AFL history to win three Norm Smith medals, after his 21-disposal, four-goal effort saw him claim the honour in the 2020 decider.
Martin took out the prestigious honour in both the 2017 and 2019 grand finals. The only other multiple winners of the award are Gary Ayres (1986 and 1988), Andrew McLeod (1997 and 1998) and Luke Hodge (2008 and 2014).
Martin’s first goal came at a pivotal moment in the second quarter. With the Tigers facing a 21-point deficit, he unleashed a trademark fend-off and no-look snap to put Richmond within three goals at half time.
His second capped off a run of four unanswered Richmond goals in the third quarter, before he arguably kicked the sealer with a superb kick on the run late in the fourth.
He then capped off the evening with a ridiculous party trick kick with his back to the boundary when the match was already won.
1st – Dustin Martin, 15 votes
2nd – Jayden Short, 6
3rd – Shane Edwards, 4
4th – Mitch Duncan, 3
5th – Nathan Broad, 2
Leigh Matthews – Martin, Broad, Edwards
Lauren Arnell – Martin, Short, Duncan
Malcolm Blight – Martin, Duncan, Edwards
Damian Barrett – Martin, Short, Edwards
Peter Ryan – Martin, Short, Edwards
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Ablett Snr without hesitation
Maxy
Roar Rookie
IF you had to select one out of Martin, Ablett ,Voss .Judd ,Riciuto etc who would you select in your side,all at there peak of their powers
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Yes. Dusty is a match winner and saver. That goal before half time was “the moment” and I was 90% sure he would banana that other one. Just showed he is human. Certainly needs to be spoken of in the company of the Abletts, Carey, Dunstall and co. Sometimes you just have to acknowledge we are watching one of the greatest players of all time.
sven
Roar Rookie
cheers mate , cats certainly had a crack & a bit better conversion in the 2nd qrt might have bought u boys a big enough buffer, who knows, but mighty effort by my tiges to turn it around after your boys were all over us ........... this talk of '18 being a missed opportunity, not sure i agree, pies outplayed us easy, reckon we had been up for the whole year & towards the end we tapered off a bit & teams had come up with game plans to counter us, even if we had got over the pies wc more than likely would have beat us i reckon . goes to show what an incredible effort pies 4 in a row back in the day was, & those 3 peats are amazing too, bloody rapt with our back to back
berrlins
Roar Pro
Good to see Dusty earn his norm Smith for once
Boo
Guest
Congratulations Sven, no doubt the best team won.My argument with Dustin Martin is whether he is the greatest player ever( I think he may well be ) .The Collingwood curse was my biggest concern if not for Mason Cox the Tigers could have won four in a row.Enjoy the success of your Tigers and extend your mantelpiece for I don't think there done yet with winning premiership trophies.
sven
Roar Rookie
cheers mate recall watching karl malone when i was a young bloke, thought he went ok but didnt know he never won a ring ... mind u its down to the team surrounding u, but dusty's writing some history atm
2dogz
Roar Rookie
That’s better :silly:
sven
Roar Rookie
well there u go … cant accuse dusty of not delivering when it matters, maybe we need to call him the ‘secure post’ postman
2dogz
Roar Rookie
Karl Malone never won a flag/premiership. He failed to deliver at crunch time
sven
Roar Rookie
easy, when it matters dusty delivers ... he's the karl malone of the afl - the postman
Nick
Roar Guru
Yes. He is.
sven
Roar Rookie
confirmation of his status as one of the best (if not the best) finals performers ..... cant wait for the usual bile from the haters, but its getting beyond argument his standing in the game
IvoryThunder
Roar Rookie
Is Dusty really as good as 3 Norms suggests?