Whatever Richmond are paying Dustin Martin, he's worth it.
The Brownlow Medal favourite took the game away from Geelong and powered Richmond into a preliminary final with 10 dominant minutes either side of three-quarter time on Friday night.
Richmond might have been on top of Geelong in their qualifying final, but they always seemed susceptible to the experienced Cats.
That was until Martin stepped up.
The recently re-signed midfielder delighted the Tigers-heavy MCG crowd with two acts of genius.
Richmond led by just seven points when Martin unleashed a trademark don't argue off half-back before running through Geelong's midfield.
Busting open the contest, he found Jack Riewoldt, who in turn kicked to an unmarked Dion Prestia, in the goal square to send the Tigers into the last break with a 13-point lead.
Early in the fourth Martin then delivered the game breaker.
Receiving the ball inside the 50m arc but running away from goal, Martin kicked around his body to find Shaun Grigg in the goal square.
It was a ridiculous angle that seemed to take Geelong's defenders by surprise - and would have gone through for a goal itself if Grigg wasn't there.
When Grigg converted, the margin was 20 points, and Richmond's rout was on.
Coach Damien Hardwick agreed that he had witnessed a special showing from both Martin and captain Trent Cotchin.
Cotchin kicked the best goal of the night as the Tigers ran riot in the fourth term, ending up 51-point winners.
"Dustin and Trent went to work through the middle and just started to get that ball going forward. That's what good players do. You rely on them," Hardwick said.
"Geelong quelled their influence last time, but I thought our guys were outstanding today."
How much did the Tigers decide to pay Martin over seven years?
Probably unders.
Share
