Dustin MARTIN

2017 Digest:   One of the game’s premier midfielders and will be crucial again. Contract speculation will linger until he re-signs but flying on the track.

2017 NAB Cup:  

2017 Season

1	Carl	Set victory up with three first-half goals and ended with four and plenty of assists. Huge.	9
2	Coll	Wearing a shiner after early head clash. Kept in check but his possessions were telling and two late goals buried the Pies.	7
3	WCE	Another game where he’s produced video game numbers. 40 disposals, two goals and 15 clearances, 898 metres gained… Wow!	10
4	Bris	Possibly the first game this year he won’t get Brownlow votes this year. Was shadowed heavily by Robinson.	5
5	Melb	Looked to be hampered by groin issue for three quarters, then exploded in final term to be one of the match-winners.	7
6	Adel	Interchanged with Trent Cotchin as full forward, was dangerous when one on one but the situation didn’t eventuate often enough.	6
7	WB	Bolted through with goal in opening moments and hard to handle for Dogs. Stunning play to set up late goal.	7
8	Frem	Took over the game in the final term in another fine display, although not as damaging as he has been. One goal, two inside-50s.	7
9	GWS	Spent some time deep forward, but was a ball-winning machine in midfield. Costly final term miss.	7
10	Ess	Helped settle team and was a constant source of drive, particularly forward of centre. Not sure he should have won BOG medal.	7
11	NM	Huge again. Ended with 38 touches, nine inside-50s, six tackles and a team-high 677 metres gained.	9
12		Bye.
13	Syd	One of his quieter games. Booted two goals from 23 touches, but was haphazard at times with his use.	6
14	Carl	Didn’t dominate like he did in season opener, but was a good contributor in middle, as well as resting forward. Influential late.	7
15	Port	Instrumental when the Tigers took control of the game late in the third term.	8
16	StK	Totally blanketed in first half with just six touches and was never allowed to take charge.	3
17	Bris	Decision making was poor early, but then had a gigantic second half to be best afield. Clip to Robertson’s chin a concern though.	8
18	GWS	Got going in second term after a quiet opening to be a factor in getting side back into the game; 31 disposals, 11 clearances.	8
19	GCS	Seven inside 50's amongst his 34 possession haul as he continues to drive his price tag up.	8
20	Haw	Key playmaker might have procured more Brownlow votes with 32 disposals and two third-quarter goals.	8
21	Geel	Spent plenty of time forward and booted 2 goals. Not one of his best days, but even his average days are better than most.	6
22	Frem	Dominated. His skill was at another level, Had 36 disposals, seven clearances and kicked two goals.	9
23	StK	Brownlow votes likely again after another monster afternoon highlighted by 36 possessions, seven inside-50s and two goals.	8
QF	Geel	Star playmaker was superb and lifted to another level with sublime last term that put the game to bed; 28 disposals.	9
PF	GWS	When the game was there to be won, he was immense. 13 score involvements and three second-half goals.	9
GF	Adel	Busy as a set of jumper leads at a country funeral. Dangerous each time he got it and he got it plenty. 28 possessions and two goals.	8

2016 Season

1	Carl	Foot skills early were sub-standard but kept workrate up and brute strength came to fore at times.	6
2	Coll	30 touches – 14 contested – and was a driving force all night in attack. Helped Tigers’ back in it.	7
3	Adel	Came into the game after a quiet first half but then shifted to half back in final term. Just fair.	5
4	WCE	One of his team’s better players with 23 disposals. Kept working.	6
5	Melb	Looked uninterested. Rarely got dangerous and apart for fleeting moments was not a factor.	3
6	Port	Worked through midfield then rested deep forward. Stats don’t represent impact on the game.	5
7	Haw	Dynamic start and got Tigers going. Kept going but pressure stats down later.	7
8	Syd	Drifted forward to be a factor but work around the ball turned game at times. Important.	7
9	Frem	Powreful in contests. Couldn’t be tackled – fended off effectively and constantly.	7
10	Ess	Won the medal for best afield with career-high stats. Looked a cut above.	9
11	NM	Kept boring in but North was able to keep him under wraps.	4
12	GCS	Huge first half with 22 touches and the main man when Tigers needed him late. In Brownlow form.	9
14	Bris	Dynamic from start to finish in midfield and resting at half forward. More Brownlow votes on way.	8
15	Port	Won plenty of footy but turned it over or made poor decisions with the footy in hand.	6
16	WB	Some of his disposal was off but work-rate enormous. Tigers’ best again.	8
17	Ess	Chalk him down for more votes. 43 touches, 14 clearances and two goals but scrappy at times.	8
18	Haw	Only Tiger to take fight to Hawks across four quarters – 10 clearances.	9
19	GWS	Can’t question his work ethic. Fought hard on the inside to win 13 contested possessions.	7
20	Coll	Wills was no match and he was dangerous around the ball and up forward.	8
21	Geel	Huge game. Left to own devices for much of day and relished the space.	8
22	StK	Lost the head-to-head battle with Ross. Wasted many possessions.	6
23	Syd	One of few Tigers to produce a four-quarter effort despite disposal being poor at times.	7

2015 Season

1	Carl	Shut down completely by White early but still managed some input.	4
2	WB	In everything in first half but had brakes put on slightly after main break.	7
3	Bris	Big second half but game was already in the bag.	7
4	Melb	Continued to run but ran out of ideas going forward. Had better nights.	6
5	Geel	Tried hard all day but only two clearances and four inside-50s.	6
6	NM	Did what he could all day but lacked support. Only one inside-50 though.	6
7	Coll	Seven tackles, six clearances and three inside-50s. Huge game.	8
8	Port	Smooth mover started on Boak but then won plenty of his own footy.	7
9	Ess	Sank a big goal just before half time and was a fine contributor.	8
10	Frem	Led the charge in first quarter blitz and was good all night.	8
12	WCE	Broke open forward line early. Damaging with three first half goals.	8
13	Syd	Worked into the game but wasn’t a major factor. 24 possessions.	6
14	GWS	Not his best game but able to provide an option. Six inside-50s, one goal.	7
15	Carl	Not his best game but offered up a goal and four inside-50s.	5
16	StK	Impossible to contain and Saints always had concerns.	7
17	Frem	Spent time deep in attack but had some crucial misses in front of goal.	6
18	Haw	Terrific first quarter to help Tigers make a statement. In the thick of it.	7
19	Adel	Tigers' best with three goals, seven tackles and three inside-50s.	8
20	GCS	Close to best afield with three goals, six clearances and five inside-50s.	8
21	Coll	Ball use and work-rate first class. Won the ball in every part of the ground.	8
22	Ess	Had an off night. Spent a lot of it forward for one goal. Only two inside-50s.	5
23	NM	Jacobs tagged him and his tactics irritated early. Finished strongly.	6
EF	NM	Strong first half but drifted out at game wore on.	6

2014 Season

1	GCS	Spent time at half back and in midfield. Pushed forward late when the Tigers needed goals.	7
2	Carl	Potent ball winner in first half. Dropped away in third but important at the end.	7
3	WB	Started very well but then had decreasing effect on match.	5
4	Coll	Ran hard and one Tiger who at least broke even in his position.	7
5	Bris	Used mainly in a forward role and a constant threat on young Gardiner.	7
6	Haw	Apart from nice goal was quiet and limping late.	5
7	Geel	Handy but interestingly only two inside-50s, two clearances and no tackles.	7
9	Melb	Started brilliantly and finished with 31 touches and a goal. Also had seven clearances.	7
10	GWS	Had no problems finding the ball again. The most consistent Tiger midfielder this year.	7
11	Ess	Led team in disposals and added two goals. Held up his end of the bargain.	7
12	NM	Four first-half goals set team alight then Firrito kept him goalless in second half.	7
13	Frem	Started brightly but possessions didn’t damage Dockers. Only one inside-50s.	6
14	Syd	Dynamic first half and strong finish answered critics.	7
15	StK	Productive and positive with his use of ball. One of the players who generated the win.	7
16	Bris	Brilliant around the ball and importantly didn’t wilt late in game. A key player.	8
17	Port	Spent a lot of time in attack but burst through the contests with typical power.	7
18	WCE	Dangerous around the footy and chimed in with two critical goals.	7
19	GWS	Quiet early and spent more time forward to look after sore body. Ended with 2.2.	6
20	Ess	Flitted in and but when in he was handy in applying pressure. One goal.	6
21	Adel	Two goals including the highly contentious sealer in the final minute.	6
22		Hamstring.
23	Syd	Demanded the ball when the game was on the line and he delivered.	8
EF	Port	Played close by a variety of Power defenders including Pittard.	6
SF		–
PF		–
GF		–

2013 Season

1	Carl	Brilliant second-term goal a highlight of monster first half. Faded after half time.	7
2	StK	11 disp. first term was huge. Only 13 more for remainder but handy late.	7
3	WB	Dominant display from the outset. Power, skill, dash, he had it all.	9
4	Coll	Only nine effective disposals and two in total in second half not enough.	4
5	Frem	13 contested poss, one goal. Superb goal from boundary and had another chance late .	7
6	Geel	Handy enough in middle with 10 cont poss, two goals and four clearances.	7
7	Port	Took it upon himself to take charge of the midfield in Cotchin’s absence.	8
8	Melb	Marked hard all day but kicked three goals playing mostly up forward.	7
9	Ess	Played a lot forward and wasteful in second quarter when the game was on.	6
10	WCE	Won some footy but did make some odd decisions at times. Can be better.	5
12	Adel	Helped set win up with two early goals and ended with four in a polished display	8
13	WB	Good four-quarter performer without ever hitting any great heights.	6
14	StK	Won kicks in general play but didn’t always hit targets.	6
15	NM	Provided good run through middle but lacked his usual damage forward of centre.	5
16	GCS	Top possession winner for Tigers but haphazard with his disposal at times.	7
17	Frem	Started forward and proved a handful for Spurr. Wayward finishing but had a big day.	7
18	Syd	Brilliant goals and penetrative use of ball made him Tigers’ best.	8
19	Haw	Wasted the footy at times but did enough to keep the wheels turning.	5
20	Bris	Roamed around the centre of the ground finding the ball at will.	7
21	Carl	A very quiet afternoon from the dynamic midfielder. Only 10 touches.	3
22	GWS	Was everywhere in the first half. Worked hard both ways and laid five tackles. Super!	9
23	Ess	Got the Tigers rolling early and was a constant force forward of centre.	7
EF	Carl	A nice goal in second term but only eight disposals and little influence after that.	6
SF
PF
GF

2012 Season

1	Carl	Strong in the midfield battle although he tapered a bit at the end.	7
2	Coll	Quiet by his standards.	4
3	Melb	Upstaged by a few teammates but still had 19 disposals and six inside 50s.	6
4	Geel	Not his best day. Only half his touches effective and didn’t kick a goal.	5
5	WCE	Looked threatening midfield and forward. Powerful performance.	7
6	Port	Six inside 50s, four clearances but sprayed his two set shots wide.	7
7	Syd	Started brilliantly with 10 possessions in first quarter but faded.	6
8	Ess	Strong first half then not as effective in final hour.	5
9	Haw	Four inside-50s, 13 contested possessions and iced it with two goals.	8
10	StK	Won a fair bit of the footy and often burnt off tagger Ray.	6
11	Frem	Tried to use his muscle to break free but too often got wrapped up.	6
12	GWS	Off target in front of goal (0.3) which curtailed his overall influence.	6
14	Adel	Kicked three goals from midfield and instrumental early.	7
17	NM	Used forward a lot and looked dangerous at times – ended with 2.2.	6
18	Carl	He and Cotchin dominated early.	7
19	Bris	Influential match, was involved in 10 of Richmond’s scores.	7
20	WB	Best game since suspension. Used footy brilliantly and created for others.	8
21	Frem	Won the contested ball and covered plenty of ground.	6
22	Ess	Strong game with plenty of run.	6
23	Port	Just went then injured in third term and day was done.	3