The stage was set and Richmond star Dustin Martin put himself within the highlight by scoring the primary purpose in his three hundredth match on the MCG on Saturday.
It was destiny for the champion Tiger, who was stopped by Richmond in opposition to Adelaide final week, to have a good time the feat on the MCG, the place he gained three premierships.
Coach Adem Yize recalled Martin and key ahead Tom Lynch forward of the conflict in opposition to Hawthorn, with Samson Ryan (injured) and Dion Prestia (injured) additionally not noted.
Hundreds of followers got here sporting haircuts just like the Richmond icon, because of G.
Former team-mate Jack Riewoldt joked on commentary: 'I despatched Nathan Buckley up there so it'll be attention-grabbing to see if he's received the Dusty haircut when he comes into the studio at present.'
Dustin Martin is mobbed by teammates after scoring the primary purpose in his three hundredth sport
Martyn made little look of himself earlier than the historic match, however when he arrived on the MCG for the match his shut relations have been available to congratulate him.
The get together began early, and followers flocked to Punt Street Oval to observe the VFL motion earlier than the principle attraction.
They took to the sector early within the morning and crammed the Punt Street finish of the stadium, with Martin going through a loud cheer when he walked onto the sector early to satisfy former Richmond power and conditioning coach Peter Burge.
Family and friends shaped a small guard of honour for the celebrity, who hugged all of them individually earlier than opening a banner in his honour.
As a non-public particular person Martin declined all media requests previous to the match.
“I don’t assume it’s a quiet begin,” coach Adem Yze mentioned.
And in typical Dustin Martin vogue, he let his soccer do the speaking.
'The Biggest Showman is right here!' Riewoldt mentioned on Fox Footy.
Fellow commentator Mark Howard responded: 'The roar got here earlier than he even kicked!'
Martin led the group out to play in opposition to Hawthorn, the place he was greeted with thunderous ovation from the 1000’s of followers who turned up at Punt Street.
Richmond held Martin again for his or her final conflict in opposition to Adelaide so he may have a good time the milestone with followers at residence.
Followers felt the kick was the proper script for the mysterious Tigers star.
One fan posted: 'Dustin Martin scores the primary purpose on the Punt Street Finish, we've seen this many instances in his profession.'
One other mentioned: 'I ponder what number of bookies picked Dustin Martin to attain the primary purpose.'
One other mentioned: 'Dustin Martin has all the time been bizarre.'
'Dustin Martin has been the best participant of this era, and perhaps even one of the best participant of all time. This participant ought to have a statue exterior the G. Congrats on 300 video games,' one other Dusty fan posted.
Followers younger and previous flocked to the Punt Street Oval subsequent to the MCG earlier than heading to the concourse for the principle attraction
Many followers additionally received a particular Dustin Martin 300 haircut from a cell barber on the MCG
Whereas there's no premiership or Norm Smith Medal on supply this time round, Richmond's modern-day superhero has received the prospect to placed on a present for his followers to mark his newest milestone.
“We're trying ahead to it. It's an enormous sport for him,” Yze mentioned forward of Martin's three hundredth AFL sport in opposition to Hawthorn on Saturday.
'His whole focus will likely be on performing and successful for the Tiger Military and we’ll attempt to do the identical for him.'
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell ready his group to play the function of 'villains' and spoil Martin's get together.
The Hawks have been favourites to win, having gained 5 of their final six video games, however have been anxious about an injury-depleted Richmond aspect which nonetheless had loads of big-match expertise.
“Most likely half the gamers in his group are Dusty's premiership teammates so it's going to be an enormous problem for us,” Mitchell mentioned.
'The precise sport is 2 hours lengthy and there are a number of occasions that occur round it, which we’ve no management over.
'We're simply targeted on enjoying the sport the way in which we have to play it to win.'
Martin gained three AFL premierships (2017, 2019, 2020) and three Norm Smith Medals in those self same years, highlighting his affect in grand finals.
Martin additionally gained the distinguished Brownlow Medal in 2017 and has been named within the All-Australian group 4 instances (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020).
His awards embrace the Leigh Matthews Trophy, the AFLCA Champion Participant of the Yr and the Gary Ayres Award, reflecting his consistency and excellence all through his profession.
