RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin has added to his massively burgeoning trophy cabinet, winning the 2017 AFLCA Gary Ayres Award for the best player in the finals.
However, Martin's Norm Smith Medal-winning Grand Final performance wasn't considered as good as teammate Bachar Houli's effort, with the Tiger defender getting a perfect five from both Damien Hardwick and Don Pyke.
2017 AFLCA Gary Ayres Award
Grand Final Votes:
10 - B. Houli (Richmond)
8 - D. Martin (Richmond)
6 - A. Rance (Richmond)
4 - S. Edwards (Richmond)
1 - J. Graham (Richmond)
1 - J. Riewoldt (Richmond)
After a magnificent home and away season recognised with a record-breaking Brownlow win, Martin carried his sensational form into September, finishing with a 29 disposal (22 contested), six clearance and two goal performance in Richmond's drought-breaking premiership win.
"I congratulate Dustin on an awesome season," Gary Ayres said in announcing the award on Monday.
"He performed at an extraordinary level, all the time under the pressure of his contract and Brownlow favouritism once Paddy Dangerfield was suspended. If anything, it seemed to me he lifted his game in the finals series.
"Well done to the young man."
2017 AFLCA Gary Ayres Award
Final Leaderboard:
25 - D. Martin (Richmond)
15 - T. Cotchin (Richmond)
14 - C. Ward (GWS)
11 - B. Crouch (Adelaide)
10 - P. Dangerfield (Geelong)
10 - B. Houli (Richmond)
10 - J. Kennedy (Sydney)
10 - L. Shuey (West Coast)
