3 minute read
Richmond's Dustin Martin and Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield, two key players in Saturday night's AFL grand final, are poles poles apart away from the field.
Dusty Martin shuns the limelight; Patrick Dangerfield revels in it.
Martin is content on his couch; Dangerfield loves the outdoors.
Martin is covered in tattoos; Dangerfield a clean-skin.
Martin dropped out of school after year nine; Dangerfield was his school captain.
The recluse and the extrovert are poles apart in personality.
The only thing the Richmond and Geelong megastars have in common is outlandish talent on the AFL field.
Dangerfield has such a massive media profile, little isn't known about him.
From his love of his coastal home hamlet of Moggs Creek in Victoria, his penchant for surfing and fishing; his comedic and impersonation talents - he's an open book.
Martin's media profile is non-existent. He rarely speaks to journalists.
Born in Castlemaine in Victoria's goldfields region, he's the son of a biker who is banned from returning to Australia.
But just what makes Martin tick is a mystery to the public.
For all their off-field contrasts, Martin and Dangerfield correspond on the field.
They're rated the best players in the competition.
Both are Brownlow medallists, multiple All Australians and club champions.
Both are midfield maestros; both dynamic when stationed in attack.
They're similarly built: the 187cm tall Martin weighs 93 kilograms; the 189cm Dangerfield weighs 92kg.
They're similar ages: Martin 29, Dangerfield 30.
Their stats are remarkably similar: Martin averages 25 disposals, 1.10 goals and 4.76 inside 50s a game; Dangerfield 23.99, 1.12 and 4.82.
But Martin has what Dangerfield so desperately wants: a premiership medallion.
The brilliant Tiger has two.
And also two Norm Smith medals for best-afield in Richmond's 2017 and 2019 triumphs.
"It's always cool when you get those kind of things," Martin said of the individual accolade in a rare media conference after last year's grand final.
"But take all the individual stuff away. I just couldn't be prouder to get this (premiership) medal and the other one a couple of years ago.
"That is what you play footy for. That is why I play a team sport."
BY THE NUMBERS
* DANGERFIELD
Games: 268. Finals: 19 (8 wins, 11 losses)
Premierships: 0
Disposals average: 23.99
Goals average: 1.12
Goal assists average: 0.65
Clearances average: 5.42
Inside 50s average: 4.82
Brownlow medal: 2016
All Australian: 8 times
Club champion: 4 times
* MARTIN
Games: 243 games. Finals: 14 (9 wins, 5 losses)
Premierships: 2
Disposals average: 25
Goals average: 1.10
Goal assists average: 0.73
Clearances average: 4.13
Inside 50s average: 4.76
Brownlow medal: 2017
Norm Smith medal: 2017, 2019
All Australian: 4 times
Club champion: 2 times
