Richmond superstar Dustin Martin was in fine form again, but this time it was at Punt Road Oval where around 15,000 fans gathered to celebrate the club’s AFL grand final triumph over GWS.
Martin, who picked up a second Norm Smith Medal for his match-winning performance, appeared a little worse for wear on Sunday after a long night of post-grand final reflection.
But the jubilant crowd didn’t care a bit as he was interviewed on stage.
“We don’t care who gets the accolades, we all play our role,” Martin replied when asked about his eye-catching display.
“We don’t care who gets the touches or kicks the goals … even though I kicked four.”
Like many of his teammates, Martin became a two-time premiership player following the Tigers’ 89-point demolition of the Giants at the MCG.
It appears he has a new favourite grand-final win.
“Both are very special but this is probably a bit better because we can soak it in a bit more (although) Josh Caddy needs to behave a bit,” he said with a grin.
“It’s awesome, I can’t believe it, it’s so surreal.
“Two premierships – I’m so proud of the whole club and all of the fans.”
Skipper Trent Cotchin spoke of the journey undertaken by his team brothers and the special connection created in a season where they overcame plenty of adversity.
After Saturday’s final siren every player on the list who didn’t make the grand final donned their guernseys and joined their teammates for the on-field celebrations.
“It echoed the words that we’ve spoken about being one club, one family,” Cotchin said.
“I loved every minute of them coming out in the same colours on the day that we all put a lot of effort and hard work into.”
Five-goal hero Jack Riewoldt received a loud ovation when he was introduced on stage wearing a gaudy yellow-and-black striped dinner jacket.
But perhaps the loudest reception was reserved for instant fan favourite Marlion Pickett after he starred in his shock AFL debut in the grand final.
“It was a difficult decision but I think Marlion probably picked himself really,” Damien Hardwick said.
“If you think about how good his VFL performance was, he was probably the in-form player over the last three or four weeks.
“The question kept coming back to me ‘Could he handle the rigours of grand final day?’
“But he’s a very good player the kid … the reality is he’s a bloody star.”
President Peggy O’Neal captured the mood of the faithful as they celebrated the club’s 12th premiership.
“We are blessed to have such supporters who are as loyal and as passionate as any in world sport,” O’Neal said.
“So soak it up, love every minute, be proud to call yourself part of the Tiger Army and remember: we are strong, we are bold, we are Richmond, we are the premiers.
“Go, Tiges!”