Dustin Martin has been hailed as one of the AFL’s all-time greats but the Richmond superstar has been pipped to the Tigers’ best-and-fairest.
Dashing defender Jayden Short has edged out three-time Norm Smith medallist Martin to claim his first Jack Dyer Medal.
Richmond on Monday announced the 24-year-old Short as the surprise winner, two days after the Tigers defeated Geelong by 31 points to win their third grand final in four years.
Short, who was the Tigers’ best after Martin against the Cats in Saturday night’s decider at the Gabba, polled 53 votes in the club’s top award, three more than Richmond’s greatest big-game performer.
“(Short’s) a guy that lost his father at the start of the year… he had a wonderful year (on the field). He’s been a revelation,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick told Fox Footy.
“He’s probably a little bit underrated but he had an incredible season and it’s well-deserved.
“To hear him speak about his family, and the fact he lost his father earlier in the year, was incredibly moving. It’s an incredible honour to his dad and he strived for that.
“He’s a wonderful young man and he’s a wonderful Richmond man.”
Defender Nick Vlastuin finished third, while young midfielder Shai Bolton and utility Kamdyn McIntosh rounded out the top five.
© AAP
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