Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has moved to within three votes of the lead in the prestigious AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year award, which he won in 2017, following a dynamic display against Brisbane at the MCG last Saturday.

Martin, who spent most of the match deep forward, kicked an AFL career-high six goals and was duly rewarded for his efforts with nine votes from rival coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and Chris Fagan (Brisbane).

He now has 23 votes from his four games this season, placing him in equal third place behind the current leader, Hawthorn’s ‘ball-magnet’ midfielder Tom Mitchell.

The Tigers’ inspirational captain Trent Cotchin received eight votes for the major impact he had in the team’s 93-point win.

Cotchin finished with an equal team-high 26 disposals, a game-high nine inside-50s, four clearances, a game-high four goal assists, game-high 12 score involvements, seven marks, four tackles and 398 metres gained.

Hard-working Tiger midfielder Kane Lambert was given five votes for the valuable contribution he made throughout the match.

He had 24 disposals, with four inside-50s, eight score involvements, 317 metres gained, took four marks and kicked two goals.

David Astbury picked up three votes after another impressive, rock-solid defensive performance for Richmond – 20 disposals, six marks, an equal game-high nine intercepts and five score involvements.

Lively, young forward Jason Castagna (15 disposals, five marks, equal game-high six tackles, three goals and 357 metres gained) and key veteran midfielder Shaun Grigg (26 disposals, three inside-50s, four marks, four score involvements and 365 metres gained) were awarded two votes apiece.

Reece Conca (equal game-high 26 disposals, eight score involvements, equal game-high six tackles, game-high 63 pressure acts and 245 metres gained), with one vote, completed a clean sweep for the Tigers in the Round 4 AFLCA Player of the Year voting.

Full voting details for the Round 4 Richmond v Brisbane match are . . .

9 – Dustin Martin (Richmond)

8 – Trent Cotchin (Richmond)

5 – Kane Lambert (Richmond)

3 – David Astbury (Richmond)

2 – Jason Castagna (Richmond)

2 – Shaun Grigg (Richmond)

1 – Reece Conca (Richmond)