Richmond’s Dustin Martin has yet another new fan, Simon Katich has explained.
While coaching Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League in Dubai between September and November, Katich was able to watch his beloved Tigers in the AFL Grand Final in late October.
Katich explained how South African star AB De Villiers took an immediate liking to Martin while watching him in action as the Tigers defeated Geelong to claim their third premiership in four years.
“Dusty’s got a new fan,” he said on SEN Test Cricket.
“AB De Villiers wanted to be named Dusty De Villiers after seeing him play for the first time.
“His first ever game of AFL he watched and he was very, very impressed.”
The former Aussie batsman was also pleased to witness the reaction of Aaron Finch, who is a staunch Cats fan.
“What a great day that was,” Katich added.
“The best part of it was watching it in Dubai in our team room and seeing Aaron Finch, who is a mad Geelong supporter, throwing bottles of water at the TV in the third term when Richmond were coming home strong.
“He wasn’t happy, Finchy. So I got a bit of humour out of that.”
Katich also suggested to Anthony Hudson, another Cats supporter, that perhaps we could see some more Richmond premierships in the coming years.
Asked if he fit the stereotype of an arrogant Tigers supporter, Katich said: “Not at all mate!"
“Three out of the last four years, and more to come while Dusty is playing the way he is.
“We got time to keep going on that, being a Geelong man Huddo?
“Dusty’s 29, still got his best days in front of him. A couple of the other boys are starting to climb up the ranks as well.
“Shai Bolton, Tom Lynch, the list goes on and on...”
De Villiers was lucky enough to witness Martin kick four goals and collect 21 disposals in the Grand Final as he claimed his third Norm Smith Medal.