Dustin Martin has banished the idea that he is done as a force in the AFL, putting on a show as Richmond took it to Essendon before falling short by 12 points in the Dreamtime clash at the MCG.
The 32-year-old superstar has been in the spotlight for his performances this season with the discussions often veering towards his leadership and retirement.
But with his 300th game on the horizon Martin sent a timely reminder of his talents in Saturday night’s blockbuster.
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Martin got on the board early when he worked hard on the wing to keep the play alive, moved the ball to Kane McAuliffe and got it back before kicking a terrific snap from a tight angle.
He kicked another when he plucked the ball out of the air just inside 50, turned and blasted it nearly 50m off short steps.
“It looks like the Dusty of old,” four-time premiership player Shaun Burgoyne said on Channel 7.
Martin notched another late in the third quarter to pull Richmond to within a goal of the Bombers and remained in the thick of it in the final term.
One burst, which ended with a snap that fell wide for a behind, served as another throwback.
“We’re seeing explosiveness back in his game,” former Essendon captain Jobe Watson said.
“That power is back, and it’s obviously really helped by the way in which Richmond are playing.”
Burgoyne noted: “When they play fast footy he’s at his most dangerous. He’s getting up the ground and ripping back.”
Richmond’s hopes of victory were dealt a blow when Shai Bolton copped friendly fire in the form of a Mykelti Lefau knee to the back of the head and missed the finish.
The Tigers’ night had started on a sour note when Tylar Young, dropped from the AFL team this week, suffered a suspected ACL injury in the VFL curtain-raiser.
Essendon, celebrating Jake Stringer’s 200th AFL game, were forced to battle harder against their injury-hit opponents than they might have hoped.
But with four points secured, the Bombers are guaranteed to sit outright second on the ladder at the end of the round.
Jordan Ridley won the Yiooken Award as the player of the match in his first appearance of the season following quad injuries.
He had a game-high 14 intercept possessions and recorded a rare goal — just the second of his career — to go with his 31 disposals.
“It’s been really testing, to be honest. A few real low points in there, especially once I re-did the injury,” Ridley told Channel 7.
“It’s been a tough three or four months but really glad to be back.”