Comparing Key Player Statistics Across the Three Premierships

So, you want to dig deeper into the Richmond dynasty than just the final scores and the trophy celebrations? You’re in the right place. We all remember the euphoria—the drought-breaker in 2017, the gritty back-to-back in 2019, and the historic three-peat in 2020. But what truly powered those flags? The story is written in the numbers of the men who wore the Yellow and Black guernsey.

This isn't just about who kicked the most goals. It's about understanding the evolution of roles, the shifting burdens of responsibility, and how individual brilliance dovetailed with the famed team system across three distinct campaigns. By comparing key player stats, we can see the blueprint of the dynasty era in vivid detail. Think of this as your practical guide to becoming an expert analyst of Richmond's prestige.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Gathering the right tools will make this process smooth and insightful. You don't need a statistics degree, just a bit of focus.

The Raw Data: Head to the official AFL website or reputable stats hubs (like AFL Tables). You’ll be looking for player statistics for the 2017, 2019, and 2020 Grand Finals. For a richer picture, consider pulling data for the entire finals series each year (check out our guide on /premiership-qualifying-final-runs).
A Note-Taking Method: A simple spreadsheet (Excel, Google Sheets) is perfect. Alternatively, a notepad with columns for each year will work.
Your Key Players List: We’ll focus on the core pillars. Have these names ready: Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Alex Rance, Bachar Houli, and Dion Prestia.
Context is King: Remember the unique circumstances of each flag. 2017 was a breakthrough at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 2019 was a brutal defensive war. 2020 was the COVID-affected season, with the Grand Final in Brisbane, not at the G. This context dramatically affects stats.

Your Step-by-Step Process to Comparison

Follow these steps to build a clear, comparable picture of how the Tigers' stars delivered when it mattered most.

Step 1: Build Your Player Stat Sheets

Start by creating a separate section or sheet for each of your key players. For each player, make three columns: 2017 Premiership, 2019 Premiership, and 2020 Premiership.

For the Grand Final only, note down these key metrics:
Disposals (Total, and break into Kicks/Handballs if you want detail)
Goals and Behind
Marks (especially Contested Marks for forwards/defenders)
Tackles
Clearances (crucial for mids)
Metres Gained (great for players like Houli)
Time on Ground (%)

This is your foundation. For a broader view of how the team's style changed, our /premiership-team-statistical-profile analysis is a great companion piece.

Step 2: Isolate the "Grand Final Hero" Stat

This is where the magic happens. Look at each player's line across the three columns. Your goal is to identify their defining contribution in each win.

For Dustin Martin: You're tracking a metamorphosis. In 2017, look for his explosive clearance work and goal-assist numbers. In 2019, his sheer, match-breaking possession count and tackles. In 2020, it’s the pure, clinical finishing in front of goal (4.2!). Compare these—you’ll see how Dusty didn't just play in big games; he reinvented how to dominate them.
For Trent Cotchin: Don't just look at disposals. Dig into his pressure acts and clearances. His 2017 final series was famously fierce, but how did his 2019 Grand Final tackle count compare? His role as Captain was less about accumulating stats and more about setting a physical and selfless tone.
For Jack Riewoldt: Goals are obvious, but look at his goal assists and marks inside 50. In 2020, with Tom Lynch alongside him, did his role change? You might see a lower goal tally but a higher number of score involvements, showing his evolution into a brilliant system forward.
For Alex Rance: The 2019 data will be starkly different, due to his injury. For 2017, focus on his intercept marks and one-percenters. This highlights the void the system had to fill in his absence—a testament to Damien Hardwick's adaptable structure.
For the Support Cast: With Bachar Houli, chart his metres gained and rebound 50s—his run was vital. For Dion Prestia, clearances and contested possessions are the gold. Was the Meatball more prolific in one year over another?

Step 3: Contextualize the Numbers with the Game's Story

Raw numbers can lie. Now, layer in the story of each game.

2017: A fast, open game. High scores. Expect higher disposal counts for runners like Houli, and efficient scoring from Riewoldt and Martin.
2019: A wet-weather, contested slog. Tackle numbers will be sky-high. Disposal efficiency will likely drop. Look for the warriors—Cotchin, Prestia—whose stats reflect the grind.
2020: A unique, controlled performance. The Tigers strangled the Cats. Look for high team tackle numbers and perhaps lower individual possession winners, as the system shared the load perfectly.

Ask yourself: Does a player's stat line reflect the nature of the game? A player with 20 disposals in the 2019 grind might have had a more impactful game than one with 25 in the open 2017 shootout.

Step 4: Chart the Evolution of Roles

This is the advanced class. Look at one player across the three campaigns. How did their job description change?

Jack Riewoldt is the perfect case study. From the main focal point in 2017 to a more selfless, linking forward in 2020. His stats will show that journey. Dustin Martin's evolution from superstar midfielder to unstoppable forward-mid hybrid is the defining arc of the dynasty era. This step moves you from comparing seasons to understanding the strategic genius at Punt Road.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Tip: Use Averages for Finals Series: For the truest measure of a player's September, compare their average stats across all finals in each year, not just the Grand Final. This smooths out a single off-day.
Tip: Look for "Score Involvements": This is a fantastic modern stat that captures a player's total contribution to scoring chains, not just final kicks or goals. It highlights players like Shane Edwards or Jason Castagna whose value went beyond traditional columns.
Mistake: Ignoring the Opposition. Dominating a young Adelaide midfield in 2017 is different from battling a hardened GWS outfit in 2019. Consider who they were playing against.
Mistake: Overvaluing Pure Disposals. In Richmond's system, a defensive sprint to create a blocking lane was often as valuable as a cheap handball. Pressure Acts and One-Percenters are the currency of the Tigers' success.
Mistake: Forgetting the System. No player's stats exist in a vacuum. Dion Prestia's clean extraction work enabled Martin's forward runs. Alex Rance's 2017 dominance allowed the half-backs to attack. Always ask: "How did this stat contribute to the Richmond machine?"

Your Quick-Fire Checklist Summary

Ready to start your own analysis? Here’s your action plan:

• Gather your Grand Final (and optional finals series) stats from official sources.


• Create a stat sheet for each of your 6-8 key Richmond players.


• Record core metrics (Disposals, Goals, Tackles, Clearances, etc.) for each premiership year.


• Identify the single "hero stat" for each player in each Grand Final.


• Contextualize the numbers with the known story and conditions of each game (fast '17, wet '19, controlled '20).


• Analyze how individual roles evolved from 2017 to 2020 (e.g., Riewoldt's link-up play, Martin's forward time).


• Cross-reference with team-level analysis (like our /dynasty-impact-legacy hub) to connect individual performance to system success.

By following this process, you’ll move beyond the highlights and truly understand the statistical architecture of a dynasty. You’ll see not just that the Tigers won, but how these specific players, in these specific roles, built a modern powerhouse one data point at a time. Now, get comparing