Dustin Martin - The Legacy

PeteTiger69minus4 · Sep 19, 2025

THE THIN MAN said:
View attachment 2399576

DUSTIN MARTIN (2017)
Still the gold standard of contract years – nobody has done it better.

Martin was heavily wooed by North Melbourne throughout 2017, as he began to compile arguably the best individual season of all time.

Reports at the time suggested early offers to Martin landed around $3.4m over four years, before the Roos eventually offered more than $10m over seven.

In 2016, Martin was ranked No.94 in the league and rocketed to No.2 in his big year.

It’s believed ‘Dusty’ stayed for about $2m less than the Roos offer.

A week after re-signing, Martin broke open a qualifying final and would later win the Norm Smith Medal in a drought-breaking premiership later than month.

He would snaffle two more premierships and two more Norm Smith medals.

Martin never really continued on the week-in-week-out level he delivered in 2017, but the contract he signed in his contract year ended up being unders for his incredible return to the Tigers.

Dusty’s 2017 wasn’t just one of the best years ever, but the best contract year. Cheers to that. Picture: Luis Ascui, AAP

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what a joke that would rank him 96 the year before. he was the only player we had for most of that year.

Oh, he was 3rd in the Brownlow in a team that won 8 games?!

the clowns

Lunchtime · Sep 19, 2025

Reference: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1421637

WHEN it comes to the best finals player of the past decade, the numbers match the eye test; it's Dustin Martin first and daylight second.

And third.

But ahead of his first ever preliminary final on Friday night, Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe is currently on a pace not even Dusty could match.

Since 2016, coaches have given votes to the best players in every final for the annual Gary Ayres Medal. An extension of the AFL Coaches' Association voting in the regular season, each coach gives votes on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, with Grand Final votes getting a 1.5 weighting.

With no Brownlow votes in finals, the Ayres Medal is the closest thing we have to a subjective measurement of the best finals players of the past 10 seasons.

Unsurprisingly, with three Norm Smith Medals in his possession, Richmond superstar Martin is miles in front.

From 13 finals, including the 1.5 weighting in Grand Finals, Martin finished his career with 93 votes. In the 10 seasons of the award, it puts him a staggering 40 votes ahead of Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield (53 from 22 finals) in second.

Lachie Neale (52.5 from 17 finals) and Isaac Heeney (45 from 15) are next, while Collingwood superstar Jordan De Goey – a renowned finals performer – is eighth with 35 votes from 14 finals games.

14:03
4 days

'I just wasn't right': De Goey on fixing his broken body, farming, and fatherhood

Collingwood midfielder Jordan De Goey tells Damian Barrett how he rebuilt his body, what he’s learned about cattle farming, and his hopes of another premiership
Just two votes behind De Goey is Newcombe, who has produced a string of stunning performances in his short finals career to date.

Having picked up 10 and five votes in Hawthorn's two finals last year, the Hawks midfielder has been awarded eight and 10 in the past fortnight, bringing his total to 33 from just four games.

It's a success rate that, while early days, not even Martin can match; Newcombe's average of 8.3 votes per final is the best in the award's history, ahead of only Fremantle star Caleb Serong (7.3 from three finals) and Martin (7.2 from 13).

02:48
6 days

Jai’s the limit: Watch gun Hawk's finals masterclass

Jai Newcombe comes up huge again in the engine room, racking up 28 disposals, eight clearances, and a goal
Martin's dominance over a long period of time and Newcombe's hot start to his finals career are reflected in Champion Data's Player Ratings.

No player in the history of Player Ratings (since 2010) has ranked best afield in four straight finals, let alone the first four of a career, like Newcombe has. His average of 21.2 points in finals is the best in the past 10 seasons, with Martin second on 19.8 and West Coast's Luke Shuey third on 17.5.

Of the top 35 highest Player Ratings in finals since 2016, Newcombe is one of seven players still alive this season.

Last year's Norm Smith Medal winner Will Ashcroft (ninth, ave 16.2 from six finals) and Newcombe's teammate Lloyd Meek (12th, ave 15.8 from four finals) both sit in the top 15, while De Goey, Dangerfield, Shaun Mannagh and Jack Crisp are all expected to feature this weekend.

01:51
5 days

Will power: Ashcroft runs the show with 28 touches, two goals

Will Ashcroft adds to his impressive young career with a dominant finals performance, helping the Lions secure a spot in the preliminary final
Neale (ave 15.4) and Tom Mitchell (ave 14.6) also rank highly, but both are considered outside chances to play again this season.

Most Gary Ayres Medal votes*
(Minimum three finals)

Dustin Martin - 93 (13 finals)
Patrick Dangerfield - 53 (22)
Lachie Neale 52.5 - (17)
Isaac Heeney 45 - (15)
Hugh McCluggage 42 - (18)
Jack Macrae 35.5 - (12)
Bachar Houli 35.5 - (12)
Jordan De Goey 35 - (14)
Lachie Whitfield 34 - (18)
Luke Shuey 34 - (9)
Jai Newcombe 33 - (4)
Tom Hawkins 33 - (18)

Dustin-Martin-celebrates-a-goal-during-the-Grand-Final-between-Richmond-and-Geelong-at-the-Gabba-on-October-24-2020.jpg

Dustin Martin celebrates a goal during the Grand Final between Richmond and Geelong at the Gabba on October 24, 2020. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos
Highest Gary Ayres Medal votes per game average*
(Minimum three finals)

Jai Newcombe - 8.3 (4 finals)
Caleb Serong - 7.3 (3)
Dustin Martin - 7.2 (13)
Sam Walsh 5.8 - (4)
Nic Naitanui 4.7 - (3)
Josh P Kennedy - 4.5 (7)
Will Ashcroft 4.4 - (6)
Tom Green 4.1 - (7)
Bobby Hill 3.8 - (5)
Luke Shuey 3.8 - (5)
Liam Picken 3.8 - (4)
Eddie Betts 3.6 - (5)

* since 2016, including 1.5 weighting for Grand Finals

Jai Newcombe and Jordan Dawson during the semi-final between Adelaide and Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on September 12, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Highest Player Rating Points Average
(since 2016, minimum three finals)

PLAYER	FINALS	AVERAGE
Jai Newcombe	4	21.2
Dustin Martin	13	19.8
Luke Shuey	9	17.5
Caleb Serong	3	16.4
Liam Picken	4	16.4
Clayton Oliver	10	16.3
Marcus Bontempelli	12	16.3
Rory Sloane	4	16.2
Will Ashcroft	6	16.2
Clay Smith	4	16
Brodie Grundy	11	16
Lloyd Meek	4	15.8
Tom Lynch	5	15.6
Chad Warner	8	15.6
Hayden Young	3	15.5
Josh Kennedy	7	15.4
Sam Walsh	4	15.4
Lachie Neale	17	15.4
Shaun Mannagh	3	15.1
Tom Green	7	14.9
Shaun Burgoyne	4	14.9
Sam Jacobs	5	14.9
Christian Petracca	10	14.8
Tom Liberatore	10	14.7
Tom Mitchell	9	14.6
Patrick Cripps	4	14.6
Patrick Dangerfield	22	14.3
Jack Steele	3	14.3
Luke Hodge	4	14.1
Jack Crisp	15	13.8
Shane Edwards	13	13.8
Rowan Marshall	3	13.8
Max Gawn	10	13.7
Matt Priddis	3	13.7
Jordan De Goey	14	13.7

Infamy · Sep 19, 2025

Lunchtime said:
Reference: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1421637

WHEN it comes to the best finals player of the past decade, the numbers match the eye test; it's Dustin Martin first and daylight second.

And third.

But ahead of his first ever preliminary final on Friday night, Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe is currently on a pace not even Dusty could match.

Since 2016, coaches have given votes to the best players in every final for the annual Gary Ayres Medal. An extension of the AFL Coaches' Association voting in the regular season, each coach gives votes on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, with Grand Final votes getting a 1.5 weighting.

With no Brownlow votes in finals, the Ayres Medal is the closest thing we have to a subjective measurement of the best finals players of the past 10 seasons.

Unsurprisingly, with three Norm Smith Medals in his possession, Richmond superstar Martin is miles in front.

From 13 finals, including the 1.5 weighting in Grand Finals, Martin finished his career with 93 votes. In the 10 seasons of the award, it puts him a staggering 40 votes ahead of Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield (53 from 22 finals) in second.

Lachie Neale (52.5 from 17 finals) and Isaac Heeney (45 from 15) are next, while Collingwood superstar Jordan De Goey – a renowned finals performer – is eighth with 35 votes from 14 finals games.

14:03
4 days

'I just wasn't right': De Goey on fixing his broken body, farming, and fatherhood
Collingwood midfielder Jordan De Goey tells Damian Barrett how he rebuilt his body, what he’s learned about cattle farming, and his hopes of another premiership
Just two votes behind De Goey is Newcombe, who has produced a string of stunning performances in his short finals career to date.

Having picked up 10 and five votes in Hawthorn's two finals last year, the Hawks midfielder has been awarded eight and 10 in the past fortnight, bringing his total to 33 from just four games.

It's a success rate that, while early days, not even Martin can match; Newcombe's average of 8.3 votes per final is the best in the award's history, ahead of only Fremantle star Caleb Serong (7.3 from three finals) and Martin (7.2 from 13).

02:48
6 days

Jai’s the limit: Watch gun Hawk's finals masterclass
Jai Newcombe comes up huge again in the engine room, racking up 28 disposals, eight clearances, and a goal
Martin's dominance over a long period of time and Newcombe's hot start to his finals career are reflected in Champion Data's Player Ratings.

No player in the history of Player Ratings (since 2010) has ranked best afield in four straight finals, let alone the first four of a career, like Newcombe has. His average of 21.2 points in finals is the best in the past 10 seasons, with Martin second on 19.8 and West Coast's Luke Shuey third on 17.5.

Of the top 35 highest Player Ratings in finals since 2016, Newcombe is one of seven players still alive this season.

Last year's Norm Smith Medal winner Will Ashcroft (ninth, ave 16.2 from six finals) and Newcombe's teammate Lloyd Meek (12th, ave 15.8 from four finals) both sit in the top 15, while De Goey, Dangerfield, Shaun Mannagh and Jack Crisp are all expected to feature this weekend.

01:51
5 days

Will power: Ashcroft runs the show with 28 touches, two goals
Will Ashcroft adds to his impressive young career with a dominant finals performance, helping the Lions secure a spot in the preliminary final
Neale (ave 15.4) and Tom Mitchell (ave 14.6) also rank highly, but both are considered outside chances to play again this season.

Most Gary Ayres Medal votes*
(Minimum three finals)

Dustin Martin - 93 (13 finals)
Patrick Dangerfield - 53 (22)
Lachie Neale 52.5 - (17)
Isaac Heeney 45 - (15)
Hugh McCluggage 42 - (18)
Jack Macrae 35.5 - (12)
Bachar Houli 35.5 - (12)
Jordan De Goey 35 - (14)
Lachie Whitfield 34 - (18)
Luke Shuey 34 - (9)
Jai Newcombe 33 - (4)
Tom Hawkins 33 - (18)

Dustin Martin celebrates a goal during the Grand Final between Richmond and Geelong at the Gabba on October 24, 2020. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos
Highest Gary Ayres Medal votes per game average*
(Minimum three finals)

Jai Newcombe - 8.3 (4 finals)
Caleb Serong - 7.3 (3)
Dustin Martin - 7.2 (13)
Sam Walsh 5.8 - (4)
Nic Naitanui 4.7 - (3)
Josh P Kennedy - 4.5 (7)
Will Ashcroft 4.4 - (6)
Tom Green 4.1 - (7)
Bobby Hill 3.8 - (5)
Luke Shuey 3.8 - (5)
Liam Picken 3.8 - (4)
Eddie Betts 3.6 - (5)

* since 2016, including 1.5 weighting for Grand Finals

Jai Newcombe and Jordan Dawson during the semi-final between Adelaide and Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on September 12, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Highest Player Rating Points Average
(since 2016, minimum three finals)

PLAYER FINALS AVERAGE
Jai Newcombe 4 21.2
Dustin Martin 13 19.8
Luke Shuey 9 17.5
Caleb Serong 3 16.4
Liam Picken 4 16.4
Clayton Oliver 10 16.3
Marcus Bontempelli 12 16.3
Rory Sloane 4 16.2
Will Ashcroft 6 16.2
Clay Smith 4 16
Brodie Grundy 11 16
Lloyd Meek 4 15.8
Tom Lynch 5 15.6
Chad Warner 8 15.6
Hayden Young 3 15.5
Josh Kennedy 7 15.4
Sam Walsh 4 15.4
Lachie Neale 17 15.4
Shaun Mannagh 3 15.1
Tom Green 7 14.9
Shaun Burgoyne 4 14.9
Sam Jacobs 5 14.9
Christian Petracca 10 14.8
Tom Liberatore 10 14.7
Tom Mitchell 9 14.6
Patrick Cripps 4 14.6
Patrick Dangerfield 22 14.3
Jack Steele 3 14.3
Luke Hodge 4 14.1
Jack Crisp 15 13.8
Shane Edwards 13 13.8
Rowan Marshall 3 13.8
Max Gawn 10 13.7
Matt Priddis 3 13.7
Jordan De Goey 14 13.7

Well 0 votes tonight will f--k up that average for Newcombe

Lunchtime · Sep 19, 2025

Infamy said:
Well 0 votes tonight will f--k up that average for Newcombe

Preliminary and Grand Finals are usually the hardest pressure cooker finals.

Wrenny · Sep 19, 2025

Infamy said:
Well 0 votes tonight will f--k up that average for Newcombe

Jerry Seinfeld Popcorn GIF by Sheets & Giggles

biaseddustyfan · Sep 19, 2025

newcombe's a dud

the talk he is in any way comparable to Dusty is a total laugh for anyone involved
it's offensive to both Dusty and Newcombe himself to even mention it

he's a good c-grader, that's about it

Lunchtime · Sep 19, 2025

biaseddustyfan said:
newcombe's a dud

the talk he is in any way comparable to Dusty is a total laugh for anyone involved
it's offensive to both Dusty and Newcombe himself to even mention it

he's a good c-grader, that's about it

Not Newcombe's fault. I blame the media.

biaseddustyfan · Sep 19, 2025

Lunchtime said:
Not Newcombe's fault. I blame the media.

i agree, that's why it's offensive to newcombe as well
he wouldn't want this. he would know he's a dud compared to Dusty. the talk is just embarrassing for all involved

Lunchtime · Sep 19, 2025

biaseddustyfan said:
i agree, that's why it's offensive to newcombe as well
he wouldn't want this. he would know he's a dud compared to Dusty. the talk is just embarrassing for all involved

Not sure he would call himself a dud but probably think to himself that he is clearly not as good as Martin.

TJTIGER · Sep 19, 2025

Thanks for posting this video. I was at the G in 2017. Will never forget the drought breaker... what a team! Cotch & Dusty combo.... Thankyou to all the boys, the coaches & club for the great memories...

Lunchtime · Sep 24, 2025

AFL Grand Final week and I'm always reminded of Dustin Martin on the biggest day, the biggest stage and the most important game of all - the Grand Final. Three Norm Smith medals, absolutely brilliant. Certainly in modern AFL footy, when it comes to Grand Finals, he has no peer.

Dustin Martin's Grand Final Record

2017 Grand Final vs Adelaide (MCG)
Total Possessions: 29
Contested Possessions: 22
Disposal Efficiency: 83%
Goals: 2
Behinds: 2
Shots on Goal: 4
No Score: 0
Goal Accuracy: 50.0%
Goal Assists: 2
Score Involements: 9
Tackles: 1
Total Marks: 1
Contested Marks: 1
Clearances: 6

2019 Grand Final vs GWS (MCG)
Total Possessions: 22
Contested Possessions: 12
Disposal Efficiency: 86%
Goals: 4
Behinds: 0
Shots on Goal: 5
No Score: 1
Goal Accuracy: 80.0%
Goal Assists: 2
Score Involvements: 8
Tackles: 1
Total Marks: 4
Contested Marks: 1
Clearances: 3

2020 Grand Final vs Geelong (GABBA)
Total Possessions: 21
Contested Possessions: 10
Disposal Efficiency: 67%
Goals: 4
Behinds: 0
Shots on Goal: 5
No Score: 1
Goal Accuracy: 80.0%
Goal Assists: 1
Score Involvements: 9
Tackles: 3
Total Marks: 1
Contested Marks: 0
Clearances: 5

Totals (Averages)
Grand Finals: 3
Total Possessions: 72 (24.0)
Contested Possessions: 44 (14.6)
Disposal Efficiency: 78.6%
Goals: 10 (3.3)
Behinds: 2 (0.6)
Shots on Goal: 14 (4.6)
No Score: 2 (0.6)
Goal Accuracy: 71.4%
Goal Assists: 5 (1.6)
Score Involvements: 26 (8.6)
Tackles: 5 (1.6)
Total Marks: 6 (2.0)
Contested Marks: 2 (0.6)
Clearances: 14 (4.6)

No score includes: out of bounds/out on the full, not making distance etc

Meteoric Rise · Sep 24, 2025

Lunchtime said:
AFL Grand Final week and I'm always reminded of Dustin Martin on the biggest day, the biggest stage and the most important game of all - the Grand Final. Three Norm Smith medals, absolutely brilliant. Certainly in modern AFL footy, when it comes to Grand Finals, he has no peer.

Dustin Martin's Grand Final Record

2017 Grand Final vs Adelaide (MCG)
Total Possessions: 29
Contested Possessions: 22
Disposal Efficiency: 83%
Goals: 2
Behinds: 2
Shots on Goal: 4
No Score: 0
Goal Accuracy: 50.0%
Goal Assists: 2
Score Involements: 9
Tackles: 1
Total Marks: 1
Contested Marks: 1
Clearances: 6

2019 Grand Final vs GWS (MCG)
Total Possessions: 22
Contested Possessions: 12
Disposal Efficiency: 86%
Goals: 4
Behinds: 0
Shots on Goal: 5
No Score: 1
Goal Accuracy: 80.0%
Goal Assists: 2
Score Involvements: 8
Tackles: 1
Total Marks: 4
Contested Marks: 1
Clearances: 3

2020 Grand Final vs Geelong (GABBA)
Total Possessions: 21
Contested Possessions: 10
Disposal Efficiency: 67%
Goals: 4
Behinds: 0
Shots on Goal: 5
No Score: 1
Goal Accuracy: 80.0%
Goal Assists: 1
Score Involvements: 9
Tackles: 3
Total Marks: 1
Contested Marks: 0
Clearances: 5

Totals (Averages)
Grand Finals: 3
Total Possessions: 72 (24.0)
Contested Possessions: 44 (14.6)
Disposal Efficiency: 78.6%
Goals: 10 (3.3)
Behinds: 2 (0.6)
Shots on Goal: 14 (4.6)
No Score: 2 (0.6)
Goal Accuracy: 71.4%
Goal Assists: 5 (1.6)
Score Involvements: 26 (8.6)
Tackles: 5 (1.6)
Total Marks: 6 (2.0)
Contested Marks: 2 (0.6)
Clearances: 14 (4.6)

No score includes: out of bounds/out on the full, not making distance etc

If you take the necessary step of multiplying Dusty's 2020 GF stats by 1.25 to standardise them to a full length match, all his averages are going to rise by around 10%. That would give a true basis for comparison to what other players have achieved in Grand Finals.

Dusty is so good he won 3 Norm Smith Medals from just 2.8 Grand Finals.

Lunchtime · Sep 25, 2025

B&F, Brownlow, Norm Smith… Buckley ranks five AFL individual awards

“The difference of opinion is great.”

www.sen.com.au

rfctigerarmy · Sep 25, 2025

Sometimes in the exact moment you don't appreciate how pivotable he was at certain points.

Then you look back and replays and highlights, like we all have, and realise his ability to kick a goal at the right time. There's just so many of them, it's literally incredible. And on the biggest stage, in the biggest matches. Actually insane.

Ralll · Sep 25, 2025

Lunchtime said:
Reference: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1421637

WHEN it comes to the best finals player of the past decade, the numbers match the eye test; it's Dustin Martin first and daylight second.

And third.

But ahead of his first ever preliminary final on Friday night, Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe is currently on a pace not even Dusty could match.

Since 2016, coaches have given votes to the best players in every final for the annual Gary Ayres Medal. An extension of the AFL Coaches' Association voting in the regular season, each coach gives votes on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis, with Grand Final votes getting a 1.5 weighting.

With no Brownlow votes in finals, the Ayres Medal is the closest thing we have to a subjective measurement of the best finals players of the past 10 seasons.

Unsurprisingly, with three Norm Smith Medals in his possession, Richmond superstar Martin is miles in front.

From 13 finals, including the 1.5 weighting in Grand Finals, Martin finished his career with 93 votes. In the 10 seasons of the award, it puts him a staggering 40 votes ahead of Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield (53 from 22 finals) in second.

Lachie Neale (52.5 from 17 finals) and Isaac Heeney (45 from 15) are next, while Collingwood superstar Jordan De Goey – a renowned finals performer – is eighth with 35 votes from 14 finals games.

14:03
4 days

'I just wasn't right': De Goey on fixing his broken body, farming, and fatherhood
Collingwood midfielder Jordan De Goey tells Damian Barrett how he rebuilt his body, what he’s learned about cattle farming, and his hopes of another premiership
Just two votes behind De Goey is Newcombe, who has produced a string of stunning performances in his short finals career to date.

Having picked up 10 and five votes in Hawthorn's two finals last year, the Hawks midfielder has been awarded eight and 10 in the past fortnight, bringing his total to 33 from just four games.

It's a success rate that, while early days, not even Martin can match; Newcombe's average of 8.3 votes per final is the best in the award's history, ahead of only Fremantle star Caleb Serong (7.3 from three finals) and Martin (7.2 from 13).

02:48
6 days

Jai’s the limit: Watch gun Hawk's finals masterclass
Jai Newcombe comes up huge again in the engine room, racking up 28 disposals, eight clearances, and a goal
Martin's dominance over a long period of time and Newcombe's hot start to his finals career are reflected in Champion Data's Player Ratings.

No player in the history of Player Ratings (since 2010) has ranked best afield in four straight finals, let alone the first four of a career, like Newcombe has. His average of 21.2 points in finals is the best in the past 10 seasons, with Martin second on 19.8 and West Coast's Luke Shuey third on 17.5.

Of the top 35 highest Player Ratings in finals since 2016, Newcombe is one of seven players still alive this season.

Last year's Norm Smith Medal winner Will Ashcroft (ninth, ave 16.2 from six finals) and Newcombe's teammate Lloyd Meek (12th, ave 15.8 from four finals) both sit in the top 15, while De Goey, Dangerfield, Shaun Mannagh and Jack Crisp are all expected to feature this weekend.

01:51
5 days

Will power: Ashcroft runs the show with 28 touches, two goals
Will Ashcroft adds to his impressive young career with a dominant finals performance, helping the Lions secure a spot in the preliminary final
Neale (ave 15.4) and Tom Mitchell (ave 14.6) also rank highly, but both are considered outside chances to play again this season.

Most Gary Ayres Medal votes*
(Minimum three finals)

Dustin Martin - 93 (13 finals)
Patrick Dangerfield - 53 (22)
Lachie Neale 52.5 - (17)
Isaac Heeney 45 - (15)
Hugh McCluggage 42 - (18)
Jack Macrae 35.5 - (12)
Bachar Houli 35.5 - (12)
Jordan De Goey 35 - (14)
Lachie Whitfield 34 - (18)
Luke Shuey 34 - (9)
Jai Newcombe 33 - (4)
Tom Hawkins 33 - (18)

Dustin Martin celebrates a goal during the Grand Final between Richmond and Geelong at the Gabba on October 24, 2020. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos
Highest Gary Ayres Medal votes per game average*
(Minimum three finals)

Jai Newcombe - 8.3 (4 finals)
Caleb Serong - 7.3 (3)
Dustin Martin - 7.2 (13)
Sam Walsh 5.8 - (4)
Nic Naitanui 4.7 - (3)
Josh P Kennedy - 4.5 (7)
Will Ashcroft 4.4 - (6)
Tom Green 4.1 - (7)
Bobby Hill 3.8 - (5)
Luke Shuey 3.8 - (5)
Liam Picken 3.8 - (4)
Eddie Betts 3.6 - (5)

* since 2016, including 1.5 weighting for Grand Finals

Jai Newcombe and Jordan Dawson during the semi-final between Adelaide and Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on September 12, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos
Highest Player Rating Points Average
(since 2016, minimum three finals)

PLAYER FINALS AVERAGE
Jai Newcombe 4 21.2
Dustin Martin 13 19.8
Luke Shuey 9 17.5
Caleb Serong 3 16.4
Liam Picken 4 16.4
Clayton Oliver 10 16.3
Marcus Bontempelli 12 16.3
Rory Sloane 4 16.2
Will Ashcroft 6 16.2
Clay Smith 4 16
Brodie Grundy 11 16
Lloyd Meek 4 15.8
Tom Lynch 5 15.6
Chad Warner 8 15.6
Hayden Young 3 15.5
Josh Kennedy 7 15.4
Sam Walsh 4 15.4
Lachie Neale 17 15.4
Shaun Mannagh 3 15.1
Tom Green 7 14.9
Shaun Burgoyne 4 14.9
Sam Jacobs 5 14.9
Christian Petracca 10 14.8
Tom Liberatore 10 14.7
Tom Mitchell 9 14.6
Patrick Cripps 4 14.6
Patrick Dangerfield 22 14.3
Jack Steele 3 14.3
Luke Hodge 4 14.1
Jack Crisp 15 13.8
Shane Edwards 13 13.8
Rowan Marshall 3 13.8
Max Gawn 10 13.7
Matt Priddis 3 13.7
Jordan De Goey 14 13.7

Wheres N Daicos?

energyquant · Sep 25, 2025

Lunchtime said:
AFL Grand Final week and I'm always reminded of Dustin Martin on the biggest day, the biggest stage and the most important game of all - the Grand Final. Three Norm Smith medals, absolutely brilliant. Certainly in modern AFL footy, when it comes to Grand Finals, he has no peer.

Dustin Martin's Grand Final Record

2017 Grand Final vs Adelaide (MCG)
Total Possessions: 29
Contested Possessions: 22
Disposal Efficiency: 83%
Goals: 2
Behinds: 2
Shots on Goal: 4
No Score: 0
Goal Accuracy: 50.0%
Goal Assists: 2
Score Involements: 9
Tackles: 1
Total Marks: 1
Contested Marks: 1
Clearances: 6

2019 Grand Final vs GWS (MCG)
Total Possessions: 22
Contested Possessions: 12
Disposal Efficiency: 86%
Goals: 4
Behinds: 0
Shots on Goal: 5
No Score: 1
Goal Accuracy: 80.0%
Goal Assists: 2
Score Involvements: 8
Tackles: 1
Total Marks: 4
Contested Marks: 1
Clearances: 3

2020 Grand Final vs Geelong (GABBA)
Total Possessions: 21
Contested Possessions: 10
Disposal Efficiency: 67%
Goals: 4
Behinds: 0
Shots on Goal: 5
No Score: 1
Goal Accuracy: 80.0%
Goal Assists: 1
Score Involvements: 9
Tackles: 3
Total Marks: 1
Contested Marks: 0
Clearances: 5

Totals (Averages)
Grand Finals: 3
Total Possessions: 72 (24.0)
Contested Possessions: 44 (14.6)
Disposal Efficiency: 78.6%
Goals: 10 (3.3)
Behinds: 2 (0.6)
Shots on Goal: 14 (4.6)
No Score: 2 (0.6)
Goal Accuracy: 71.4%
Goal Assists: 5 (1.6)
Score Involvements: 26 (8.6)
Tackles: 5 (1.6)
Total Marks: 6 (2.0)
Contested Marks: 2 (0.6)
Clearances: 14 (4.6)

No score includes: out of bounds/out on the full, not making distance etc

It's funny, I was there in 2019 and I don't remember him kicking 4. It was such an all-round team performance that day it sort of faded. In comparison, his 4 against Geelong the following year were each game-defining.

DickieKnee · Sep 27, 2025

PeteTiger69minus4 said:
it's often forgotten that while the count was close, Dusty got the 3 from 80% of the judges. only Wallace the spewer saw it differently

every single other judge had Dusty ahead of Bach.

And the stats show why. you have to watch the game a few times i reckon to see some of the things he does in close especially in the 2nd and 3rd.

Bachar was important early in the game when it was close.

DickieKnee · Sep 27, 2025

Ralll said:
Wheres N Daicos?

Sooking about not getting a runner up medal in the Brownlow.

Coach_Required · Sep 27, 2025

ShereKhan said:
Yep, Houli got 10. Martin 8. But upon re-watch, Martin was easily BOG … played the perfect midfielders game. He had 22 contested from his 29 touches and went at 86% … unheard of.

I watched the 2017 GF last night and was coming on to say the exact same thing.
Dusty set up a few goals aswell, one even to Houli in the first quarter.

Gee I love watching this GF just something about it. Rance was such a bloody great defender. Man I miss watching that team.

Lunchtime · Sep 27, 2025

If Dangerfield wins the Norm Smith today then the comparisons with Dusty will continue. As we can all acknowledge, Dangerfield has had a great career.

If only Dusty didnt get that kidney injury..that certainly slowed up his career.

TiggyTig · Sep 27, 2025

Lunchtime said:
If Dangerfield wins the Norm Smith today then the comparisons with Dusty will continue. As we can all acknowledge, Dangerfield has had a great career.

If only Dusty didnt get that kidney injury..that certainly slowed up his career.

Debate over. Please no more mention of this comparison. Ashcroft a better choice - kid loves the big stage

Bojangles17 · Sep 27, 2025

Lunchtime said:
If Dangerfield wins the Norm Smith today then the comparisons with Dusty will continue. As we can all acknowledge, Dangerfield has had a great career.

If only Dusty didnt get that kidney injury..that certainly slowed up his career.

That and the passing of his father finished it

Mr Magic · Sep 27, 2025

Ralll said:
Wheres N Daicos?

I think Ashcroft is ahead of N Daicos as a player atm

I expect Pies fans to disagree

poppa pump · Sep 28, 2025

Afl CAREER STATS FOR ALL FINALS
DUSTIN MARTIN
PARICK DANGERFIELD
Danger 24.46 dis .82 gls
Dusty 22.26 dis. 1.68 gls

Lunchtime · Sep 28, 2025

poppa pump said:
Afl CAREER STATS FOR ALL FINALS
DUSTIN MARTIN
PARICK DANGERFIELD
Danger 24.46 dis .82 gls
Dusty 22.26 dis. 1.8 gls

27 goals from 16 games equates to = 1.68

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Dustin Martin - The Legacy

Debutant

View attachment 2399576​

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DUSTIN MARTIN (2017)​

Premiership Player

'I just wasn't right': De Goey on fixing his broken body, farming, and fatherhood​

Jai’s the limit: Watch gun Hawk's finals masterclass​

Will power: Ashcroft runs the show with 28 touches, two goals​

🐯🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

'I just wasn't right': De Goey on fixing his broken body, farming, and fatherhood​

Jai’s the limit: Watch gun Hawk's finals masterclass​

Will power: Ashcroft runs the show with 28 touches, two goals​

Premiership Player

Norm Smith Medallist

|17🏆|18🏆|19🏆|20🏆|21🏆|22🏆|23🏆|24🏆|25🏆|

Premiership Player

|17🏆|18🏆|19🏆|20🏆|21🏆|22🏆|23🏆|24🏆|25🏆|

Premiership Player

Brownlow Medallist

Premiership Player

Gout Gout 🤙

Premiership Player

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

Club Legend

'I just wasn't right': De Goey on fixing his broken body, farming, and fatherhood​

Jai’s the limit: Watch gun Hawk's finals masterclass​

Will power: Ashcroft runs the show with 28 touches, two goals​

Club Legend

🍺

🍺

Brownlow Medallist

Premiership Player

All Australian

Hall of Famer

Brownlow Medallist

Club Legend

Premiership Player