Richmond’s Dustin Martin has pipped Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield to be named the 2017 Shadforth Financial Group AFL Coaches Association (AFLCA) Champion Player of the Year.
In a record-braking campaign, Martin polled a total of 122 votes (the most ever), while also being recognised as the unanimous best on ground eight times – another first in the award’s history.
The 26-year-old has helped ignite the Tigers to their first top-four finish since 2001. He averaged 30.3 disposals, 537.8 metres gained, 14.2 contested possessions, 8.7 score involvements, 6.6 clearances, 6.2 inside 50s and 3.5 tackles across the home-and-away season, while also booting 32 goals.
Martin collected 30 or more disposals in 14 games this season, while reaching the 40 mark on two occasions.
The former Bendigo Pioneer has elevated his game to the elite level, thanks to his blend of explosiveness, power and a footy nous that is unmatched across the competition. This is his first Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award.
Martin finished four votes ahead of the second-placed Dangerfield (118 votes). Adelaide’s Rory Sloane (78 votes), Essendon’s Zach Merrett (77 votes) and Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell (76 votes) rounded out the top-five.
The Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award is presented in recognition of the player who has been adjudged as the Champion Player of the Year based on their performance throughout the season, as voted by the Coaches (5,4,3,2,1) on a weekly basis throughout the AFL Season.
2017 Shadforth Financial Group AFLCA Champion Player
- Dustin Martin (Richmond) 122
- Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) 118
- Rory Sloane (Adelaide) 78
- Zach Merrett (Essendon) 77
- Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn) 76
- Josh Kelly (Greater Western Sydney) 75
- Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) 71
- Matt Crouch (Adelaide) 68
- Seb Ross (St Kilda) 68
- Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions) 68