Another gong for top Tiger
up on the wing or half-back flank again, I will throw my remote at the television.
I am sick to death of seeing the best contested mark in the game, a guy who is going to go down as one of the best forwards in Geelong’s history, wasting his energy on the halfback line because the team can’t get the ball forward.
Geelong is going to need a lot to go right to win on Friday night. If the Cats lose, it will be the second time in four seasons they’ve gone out in straight sets.
It’s a record that is becoming embarrassing for everyone and it’s time to stand up. DUSTIN Martin’s blistering year has been given the tick of approval by his peers, with the Tigers star romping to his first Leigh Matthews Award.
The trophy, awarded to the AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player, was the Richmond star’s second official individual gong of 2017 as the Brownlow Medal — for which he is the shortest-ever favourite with bookmakers — potentially looms in less than a fortnight.
Martin, 26, claimed the award with 1333 votes ahead of last year’s winner Patrick Dangerfield (776) and Giants young gun Josh Kelly (416).
“It’s an honour to be named MVP by the guys I play with, and against every week,” Martin said. “I’m incredibly humbled by this.”
Crows midfielder Rory Sloane — who continues to recover from appendix surgery ahead of next week’s preliminary final — finished fourth with 267 votes ahead of Sydney power forward Lance Franklin (215).
Players voted every four weeks for an “MVP of the Month” award throughout the season, with this year’s winners being Crow Rory Sloane (March/April), Giant Josh Kelly (May), Martin (June and July) and Franklin (August). Martin had been nominated every month.
At the end of the season, each team nominated three of its own players for the annual award and then all players voted using a 3-2-1 system.
They cannot vote for one of their own teammates.
AFL Players’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh said Martin’s ability to brush aside contract speculation and deliver an average of more than 30 disposals per game justified the recognition.