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Martin best on ground at premiers' fan day

All eyes were on Dustin Martin when Richmond's AFL premiership heroes were presented to the Tiger Army at Punt Road Oval.

Dustin Martin has stolen the show, again.

Martin was best on ground at Punt Road Oval on Sunday, when Richmond's hoarse premiership heroes took to the stage amid rapturous applause from approximately 25,000 supporters.

The first AFL footballer to collect the Brownlow and Norm Smith medals in the same week, Martin could be excused for celebrating long into Saturday night after the Tigers crushed Adelaide in the grand final.

The 26-year-old looked a little worse for wear as he gazed out at friends, family and fans - many of which had taken up a local barber's offer of free 'Dusty cuts'.

But he held it together - barring some childlike cheek on stage that only endeared himself even more to the Tiger Army.

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As clean-cut captain Trent Cotchin attempted to conduct an on-stage interview and rise above a cacophony of cheers, Martin started making hand gestures behind him.

Bunny ears, sock puppets, etc.

"The boys have ... no one really cares what's going on here, they just like what's going on in the background," Cotchin laughed.

Cotchin got back on track, briefly.

"You'll never forget it - incredible, humbling, amazing. Can I throw Dusty off the stage?"

Martin continued to be a menace, much to the delight of teammates as much as fans.

"I can't go on with this bloke," Cotchin said, picking up his close friend while feigning to hurl him over the barrier.

It was an appropriate reminder of the yin-and-yang bond that was so pivotal in ending Richmond's 37-year wait for a flag.

Coach Damien Hardwick, who thanked fans for being the team's "19th man", was next to take the microphone.

"Dusty, if one finger comes above my head - look out," Hardwick warned.

Martin earlier acted with more decorum during his on-stage interview that was conducted five minutes after rain stopped and the sun peeked out briefly - as if the footy gods and weather gods had a quiet word.

"They were pretty good ... just a couple," Martin said, when asked about the team's celebrations on Saturday night.

"I just left his (Dane Swan's) joint, so I'll be back there soon.

"We'll have a few here and just enjoy it.

"I'm so proud of all these guys."

Hardwick expressed similar sentiments to the crowd.

"Enjoy your day, enjoy your night. They don't come around often. Have a beer for me," he said.

Hardwick earlier revealed to reporters that his side wanted to join Saturday night's chaotic scenes on Swan St, only to be advised against it for safety reasons.

Players have their best-and-fairest night to look forward to on Monday night, while the after-party will roll on in Richmond for some time.


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


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