Richmond v Hawthorn: Dustin Martin ignites finals with impossible goal

Tom Naghten

Richmond v Hawthorn: Dustin Martin ignites finals with impossible goal image

He was the brightest star on a field full of them and Dustin Martin brought the AFL finals to life with a freakish goal in the second quarter at the MCG on Thursday night.

With the Tigers holding a three-point lead after a tit-for-tat opening to the game against Hawthorn, Dusty lit up the packed 'G with a goal that had to be seen to be believed.

The Richmond star was released by Kane Lambert deep in the right-hand pocket before threading the needle with a drop punt from the tightest of angles.

Check out the video below.

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The Richmond players certainly gave it to their opponents after the goal, with Hawks shut-down man Daniel Howe on the receiving end of some attention from Josh Caddy.

Hawthorn had the chance to respond not long later but All Australian forward Luke Breust missed a straight-forward set shot.

Tiger Kamdyn McIntosh added his second goal for the game just before half time to give the reigning premiers a 14-point lead.

Dodgy weather kept the scoring in check in the first half, though the Tigers threatened to break the game open as McIntosh kicked his third shortly after the break.

Richmond's manic pressure and ball movement eventually proved telling, kicking away to a 31-point win.

The Tigers will now have a week off ahead of another MCG preliminary final, while Hawthorn will take on the winner of the Melbourne-Geelong elimination final at the MCG on Friday night.

 

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.