WHAT does the Brownlow race look like without Dustin Martin?
The Richmond superstar was at his bullocking best on Sunday, racking up 40 disposals, 14 clearances and two goals in a blistering display to help tame the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.
It was a performance that saw him awarded another three votes in the AFL.com.au Brownlow predictor – his fifth best on ground in his past seven games.
But that could all count for nothing after Martin's clenched left fist made light contact with Lions tagger Nick Robertson's throat/jaw region.
The force was very low but with the AFL looking to crack down on punches, it was bad timing for the 26-year-old.
If Martin is suspended (and AFL.com.au's Tribunal expert Nathan Schmook says he won't be), the Brownlow race tilts heavily towards reigning medallist Patrick Dangerfield.
The Brownlow race without Dusty
Patrick Dangerfield - 24 votes
Josh Kelly - 18 votes
Tom Mitchell - 17 votes
Joel Selwood - 15 votes
Rory Sloane - 15 votes
Dangerfield's lower left leg injury is another complicating factor in this season's race. Should that injury force him to the sidelines and Martin was suspended, the race would become wide open.
Although seemingly not even being hurt can stop Dangerfield – he was considered best-on-ground for his match-winning haul of 5.6 in the three-point win against Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon at the MCG.
Playing out of the goalsquare like a traditional full-forward, Dangerfield dominated. As of Monday morning, his odds of going back-to-back with CrownBet were at $1.80.
Betting on Martin was suspended. Richmond will be hoping he isn't.
• Who's on track to take home Charlie? Check out AFL.com.au's Brownlow predictor
