His biggest danger was an asterisk
DUSTIN Martin took the 2017 season by the scruff of the neck in the first minute of its first game and hasn’t let go yet.
Just seconds into the AFL’s season opener against Carlton he picked up his first handball en route to a 33-possession, four-goal masterclass.
Everything he has done since on this rollicking ride of a season has led to him fulfilling his Brownlow Medal destiny.
Last night the same drama that has been such a part of Richmond’s season followed Martin throughout the Brownlow count.
His biggest danger was an asterisk, as Patrick Dangerfield led him by a vote with two rounds remaining.
It should have been one of the great Brownlow counts as two players with epic seasons went head to head all night.
Instead for the entire night we held our breath and hoped Dangerfield would not become the third player in 21 years to be an ineligible winner.
As Martin said himself, it was just downright “awkward”.
Finally with the last votes of the night the dread eased with Martin the sole winner — and with a record 36 votes.
His count echoed the pattern of his actual games this year, roaring home when all was on the line with five best-afields in the final seven games.
This win had been coming since Dangerfield’s line-ball tackle on Matthew Kreuzer.
But to be honest, it has been coming since Martin exploded onto the football landscape at 17, declaring he was born to play football.
Why did it take this long, given his undoubted brilliance?
Once Martin could play on sheer talent, perhaps starring in spite of his off-field antics.
His extracurricular activities were a weekend on the turps, the chaser a Vegas trip with his mate Dane Swan.
Now he adds two boxing sessions to his weekly training routine, backed up by some pilates to help his flexibility.
In short, he deserves everything that has come his way this season.
But seriously, how many nights like this does the AFL need to revamp its Brownlow eligibility given Dangerfield is one of the fairest players in history?