Brilliant Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin has moved into outright third place and within six votes of the lead in the AFL Coaches Association’s Player of the Year award for 2016, after another dominant display last Saturday.

Martin was clearly best afield in the Tigers’ Round 17 victory over Essendon at the MCG, racking up a career-high 43 disposals, including a game-high 22 contested possessions, game-high 14 clearances, game-high six centre clearances, game-high six inside-50s, game-high 585 metres gained, eight score involvements, six marks, four rebound-50s, four tackles and two goals.

He was subsequently awarded the maximum 10 votes (yet again) from respective coaches Damien Hardwick (Richmond) and John Worsfold (Essendon), to take his overall season’s tally to 74, with Geelong dynamo Patrick Dangerfield second on 79, and Adelaide star Rory Sloane leading on 80.

Talented, Tiger tall forward Ben Griffiths received seven votes for the major impact he had on the match.

Griffiths had 18 disposals, took a game-high 12 marks, including a game-high five contested marks and game-high five marks inside 50, eight score involvements, four tackles and three goals.

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin was the other Tiger to poll coaches votes in Round 17.

Cotchin received four votes after finishing the match with 35 disposals, including 18 contested possessions, six clearances, six score involvements, an equal team-high seven intercepts, 454 metres gained and an equal team-high five tackles.

Full voting details for the Round 17 Richmond v Essendon match are . . .

10 – Dustin Martin (Richmond)
7 – Ben Griffiths (Richmond)
7 – Zach Merrett (Essendon)
4 – Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
1 – Orazio Fantasia (Essendon)
1 – Brendon Goddard (Essendon)