Opinion Can Dustin Martin be the GOAT? (Answer: no)

[Mr Meow]

Can averages show that someone was consistently better over the same period compared to another?

If you have error bars and showed a statistically significant difference. Only mean was used (so only one method to calculate average, that shows nothing about distribution), we could instead use median and even an ANOVA analysis for different categories.

For consistency, the distribution of individual data points for each category could be used (per season, or for the full set of games as separate data points). Wouldn't be possible for AA or B&Fs because the the former is just a voting system at the end of a full season, while the latter we would need every single game's B&F read out. It is accepted that midfielders with very consistent elite performance across a season do well in those categories. If you didn't win an AA selection or a B&F, it's fair to assume there was some variance between your best and worst games. E.g a large period of the season just "good", with a hot streak early or late.

I will once again emphasise that no system is perfect, but it's entertaining to see something more comprehensive mocked by a person (not you) who thought "career goal/disposal averages" was the most accurate and definitive analysis there was. 4 different key statistical metrics, and 4 different voting metrics, then a tallying and ranking system, is undoubtedly a stronger approach to validate 21st century midfielder consistency/longevity. For the thousandth time, I have never claimed it measured "dominance of peak" or "most brilliant footballer I've seen".

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Player ratings now. You can't make this shyte up.

 

[doppleganger]

Can averages show that someone was consistently better over the same period compared to another?

Rory Sloane (14.51) has a higher career avg player rating than Dusty (14.35).

Obviously Rory was consistently better than Dusty over their careers.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

I cant believe this thread hasn't been shut down yet.

Dusty has been out of the game for only a couple of years and I have already forgotten he played.
Players like Ablett, Lockett and co retired many years ago and I still remember them vividly.

Perhaps it is just unfortunate that Martin didn't play great football outside of a couple of years.

He sort of reminds me of a band like Whitesnake. Did a couple of great things that were memorable.
Then you have Pendles, who is basically The Rolling Stones. Brilliant for decades (can't think of a poor year).
Of course, no list is complete without GAJ and Mathews, The Beatles, or even Taylor Swift. Hit, after hit, after hit.

To the three Richmond nuffies that are holding onto hope, let it go.
Your club and Dusty, were lucky enough to be at the right place, right time and had a win against Adelaide, GWS and Covid.

Take the win and let it go.
Dusty had some great moments but he isn't even in the conversation with some of the great players of our time.

That's pretty much what I think. Dusty is in a league of his own.

 

[Mr Meow]

That's pretty much what I think. Dusty is in a league of his own.

So do 3% of all people (likely Richmond supporters), as the poll showed.

 

[Meteoric Rise]

So do 3% of all people (likely Richmond supporters), as the poll showed.

I did a pop IQ test once and it said I was in the smartest 1%. Turns out I've spread my wings into the smartest 3%.

 

[Mr Meow]

I did a pop IQ test once and it said I was in the smartest 1%. Turns out I've spread my wings into the smartest 3%.

They still have to mush your vegetables though.

 

[Freomaniac]

Makes it even more meritorious for Dusty to average 19.34 player rating across his whole 16 finals but this is seemingly never going to be acknowledged by Collingwood or Geelong supporters here.

To put that rating into context v Pendlebury, the latter has played 18 finals since player ratings begun. If you drop off his weakest 2/3rds, ie 12 lowest player ratings, his 6 top ratings average lower than Dusty's overall average from 16 finals, Pendles 19.06 v Dusty 19.34.

If you were to take Dusty's top 6 finals, well that average is off the scale - 26.3, 30.9, 26.4, 33, 27.2, 32.1. Average 29.3 - that is not even funny it is that high. It is so high it is like people don't realise it can be real. But it is precisely why we are having this discussion, because Dusty's best collection of finals stands head, shoulders, chest and waist above any other player.

Pendlebury more consistent higher ratings week in week out in home & away footy - not disputed. Though you yourself have explained perfectly why this may be the case(forwards are not in the play as much, and Dusty has spent probably 40% of his career parked forward, Pendlebury almost never.)

But in AFL footy, much to your chagrin, every team must be funnelled through the finals to divine the champion. So those are by far the most important games. And there is nobody in history with a greater collection of finals performances than Dustin Martin.

Good point about comparing finals when it compares to mids and forwards.

Martin and cotchin at least could look back and enjoy those finals from 2017 to 2020 (and to a lesser extent finals in 2013 to 2015 as well).

I have always talked about those years of Richmond finishing 9th in1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2006 and 2008.

Turn those 9th placed finishes into 8th placed ones and that's 6 more finals Matty Richardson would of played.

That also means Richmond plays finals in 1994-6, 1998, 2000-01, 2006 and 2008.