Dustin Martin: Iconic Goals of the Dynasty Era

Let’s be honest. If you’re a Richmond fan, you’ve probably spent more time than you’d care to admit watching Dusty highlights. There’s a certain magic to them, a feeling that’s hard to describe but impossible to forget. It’s more than just the scoreboard changing. It’s a shift in the air at the MCG, a collective intake of breath, a moment where the impossible becomes inevitable.

This isn't just a trip down memory lane. This is your practical guide to truly appreciating the artistry of Dustin Martin’s most iconic goals during the Tigers' dynasty era. We’re going to break down how to watch them, what to look for, and how to understand the context that makes them legendary. By the end, you won’t just see a goal; you’ll feel the weight of the moment, the precision of the skill, and the sheer force of will that defined an era of Yellow and Black dominance.

What You'll Need

Before we dive into the steps, let's get set up. You don't need much, but having the right tools will make the experience infinitely better.

The Goals: Access to the footage. The official Richmond website, the AFL’s digital archives, or even trusted fan channels on video platforms are your best bet. We’re focusing on the 2017, 2019, and 2020 premiership years.
A Good Screen: A phone will do in a pinch, but a larger screen does justice to the scale of these moments.
Context: A basic understanding of the dynasty era timeline. Knowing what each season meant—breaking the drought, going back-to-back, achieving the three-peat—is crucial. If you need a refresher, our hub on Dynasty Era History is the perfect starting point.
Your Tiger Heart: A little bit of passion. These aren't clinical dissections; they're celebrations.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Dusty Goal Catalogue

Follow these steps to move from casual viewer to certified connoisseur of Martin’s greatest hits.

Step 1: Set the Scene – Understand the "When" and "Why"

Don’t just hit play. Pause. Ask yourself: What was at stake?

For 2017 goals: Think "weight of history." 37 years of drought. The preliminary final heartbreaks. The pressure on Hardwick, Cotchin, and Riewoldt. Every goal in that finals series wasn't just scoring; it was chipping away at a generational burden.
For 2019 goals: Think "relentless dominance." The Tigers were the hunted. The 2019 premiership was about proving 2017 was no fluke. Goals here are about swagger and statement.
For 2020 goals: Think "historic perseverance." The hub life, empty stadiums, the quest for the three-peat. Goals in this season are pure, distilled toughness. No crowd roar to feed off, just pure instinct.

Pro Tip: Watch a brief season recap or a documentary clip about that specific finals series first. It immerses you in the emotional temperature of the time.

Step 2: Isolate the Moment – Watch the Goal in Real-Time First

Now, press play. But for this first viewing, don’t analyze. Just feel it.

Watch the goal from the moment Dusty receives the ball (or even a few seconds before) until the ball goes through the middle. Soak in the live call, the crowd reaction, the player celebrations. Let the adrenaline of the moment hit you. Remember the feeling of watching it live, or imagine what it would have been like at the G.

This step is about capturing the raw, emotional impact. Notice Martin’s immediate reaction—often a stoic turn, a low-key hand raise, or that famous, calm walk back to position. It’s the antithesis of frantic celebration, and it’s utterly intimidating.

Step 3: The Forensic Replay – Break Down the "How"

This is where the magic happens. Rewind. Watch again, but this time, pause and rewind constantly. Break the goal into its components.

The Creation: Where did the chance come from? Was it a Prestia extract from the contest? A intercept from Rance or Houli that started a chain? A clever tap from Riewoldt? Appreciate the teamwork that set the stage.
The First Touch: How does Martin gather the ball? Is it clean off the deck, a one-hander at full stretch, or a strong chest mark?
The Strength & Balance: This is his signature. Look for the fend-off (the "don't argue"). But look closer. Watch his core strength as he holds off a tackler. See how his lower body stays balanced and powerful while his upper body deals with the contact. He doesn’t just break tackles; he absorbs and dismisses them.
The Decision Making: In a split second, he chooses: Do I burn my opponent with pace? Do I step around them? Do I use the fend and power through? Or do I pull up and launch from 50?
The Finish: The kick itself. Is it a booming drop punt from outside 50? A delicate snap around the body from the boundary? A checkside under extreme pressure? Note the flawless technique even when off-balance.

Common Mistake: Only watching Dusty. Pull your view back. See how he draws multiple opponents, which often leaves a teammate like Jack or Cotchin free. His gravity warps the entire defensive structure.

Step 4: Zoom Out – The Broader Game Context

A goal in the first quarter feels different from a goal in a tight final term. Open the match stats or a summary.

Scoreboard: What was the scoreline when he kicked it? Was it to break a run of opposition goals, to extend a lead, or to put the nail in the coffin?
Game Clock: How much time was left? A goal with 2 minutes left in a final is a different kind of pressure than one in the second quarter.
Opponent Momentum: Were the Tigers under siege? Was the crowd (or the silence in 2020) getting to them? Martin’s goals were often circuit-breakers that stole momentum back for the Yellow and Black.

Step 5: Catalogue and Compare – Build Your Personal Highlight Reel

Now that you’ve deeply analyzed a few, start grouping them. Create your own categories.

The Big Moment Goals: His goals in the 2017 Grand Final, especially the third-quarter snap that broke the game open. The sealer in the 2019 prelim. The first goal of the 2020 Grand Final.
The Pure Skill Goals: The boundary snap against Brisbane in 2019. The running goal from the centre square against Port in 2017.
The Brutal Strength Goals: Any goal featuring a trademark fend-off on a would-be tackler, driving through the contest like a bulldozer.

Comparing them helps you see his evolution and his consistent trademarks. Notice how his role, and the team's system around him, evolved from 2017 to 2020, something we also explore when looking at the engine room in Dion Prestia: Midfield Engine.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pro Tip: Listen to the Sound: The roar of the Richmond crowd at the MCG is part of the goal. In 2020, listen for the isolated shouts from the bench—it’s a uniquely intimate and powerful sound.
Pro Tip: Watch His Eyes: In slow motion, look at his focus. It’s rarely on the immediate tackler; it’s downfield, calculating the next move.
Common Mistake: Forgetting the Team System. Dusty’s genius was magnified by Hardwick’s game plan. The chaos, the pressure, the willingness of every player to block and shepherd created the space for his moments. He was the diamond, but the team was the setting.
Common Mistake: Only Watching the Grand Finals. While the biggest goals were on the last Saturday in September, his home-and-away and preliminary final goals were often just as spectacular and crucial for building momentum. Don’t neglect the journey to the prestige.

A Quick, Important Note: Just as we appreciate these historic moments, it's worth remembering the context they occurred in. The latter part of this dynasty era was shaped by unique global circumstances. While we revel in the football, the club's adherence to protocols, similar in principle to broader safety precautions for cleaning and disinfecting, was a key, if unseen, factor in navigating the 2020 season to its historic conclusion.

Your Dusty Goal Appreciation Checklist

Use this bullet list as your quick-reference guide to mastering the art of watching a Dustin Martin dynasty-era goal.

• Gather Your Tools: Secure footage, find a good screen, and brush up on dynasty context.


• Set the Scene: Identify the year, the stakes, and the narrative pressure of the moment.


• Feel the Moment: Watch the goal in real-time first. Absorb the emotion and the live reaction.


• Analyze the Mechanics: Rewind. Break down the creation, gather, strength, decision-making, and finish.


• Assess the Context: Check the scoreboard, game time, and momentum swing the goal caused.


• Compare and Catalogue: Group goals by type (big moment, skill, strength) to see patterns and evolution.


• Listen and Look: Pay attention to crowd noise and Martin’s focused eye line for deeper insight.


• Credit the System: Remember the role of Hardwick’s game plan and the work of teammates like Cotchin, Prestia, and Riewoldt in creating these moments.

By following this checklist, you’re not just watching a highlight. You’re paying respect to the intricate layers of skill, pressure, and history that made Dustin Martin’s goals the defining exclamation points of the Richmond Tigers’ golden era. Now, go fire up those highlights. You know what to do.