Superstar Dusty’s peer award just the start
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 last night.
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.” Crows midfielder Rory Sloane finished fourth with 267 votes ahead of Sydney power forward Lance Franklin (215).
Players voted every four weeks for a “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 was nominated every month. At the end of the season, each team nominated three of its own players for the award and then all players vote using a 3-2-1 system.
AFL Players’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh said Martin’s ability to deliver an average of more than 30 disposals per game justified the recognition.
“In a year where Dusty has dealt with a lot of off-field noise, he’s managed to not only block it out, but take his game to another level,” he said.