Richmond star Dustin Martin inspired Richmond to a third consecutive Preliminary Final with a match-winning performance against Brisbane.
Martin’s scintillating six-goal haul from just 14 disposals led the Tigers to a 47-point Qualifying Final win over the Lions as the 2017 Brownlow Medallist wreaked havoc when shifted forward.
Dual North Melbourne premiership player David King says the manner in which Brisbane play meant Martin was going to haver a greater influence forward of the ball.
“When you play Brisbane or Geelong for that matter … the game lives in contest. The game basically plays in that tram track 10-15 metres from the boundary line,” King told SEN’s Whateley.
“It’s very difficult to get possession, you have to win your own ball.
“Dusty’s not a great boundary line player. He doesn’t venture to the boundary.
“He doesn’t go outside of that; he likes to stay corridor side. For him to rack up big numbers in that sort of game is difficult to do.
“In that game, he found it really difficult as a true midfielder to get possession, that’s why he only had 14. He clearly decided, or Damien (Hardwick) decided, that my damage to be done tonight is forward of centre.
“He basically played the second half in the forward line, kicked four goals and they didn’t have a match-up for him.”
King was surprised at the lack of moves from Brisbane’s coaches box when the star Tiger began to run riot after half time.
“He has mauled the Brisbane Lions and they have not tried one thing different against him,” he said.
“Darcy Gardiner could have done the job, he did a great job on Jack Riewoldt, but they had other options for Riewoldt.”
Richmond will meet the winner of this weekend's Semi Final between Geelong and West Coast in the preliminary final at the MCG on Friday, September 20.
Listen to David King’s chat on SEN’s Whateley in the player below