MATTHEW RICHARDSON’S TOP 10: Dustin Martin should play for Gold Coast Suns if he still has hunger to play AFL

1. The Dusty Martin move to the Gold Coast looks like it might become a reality after months of speculation.

You only get one career and if Dusty is motivated and wants to get out of the Melbourne footy environment good luck to him. But it’s going to be strange for Richmond diehards seeing him in new colours and his first trip to the G against the Tigers is going to be a bit weird.

2. We have two scintillating preliminary finals so here are my key players for each team.

Patrick Dangerfield is the man for the Cats after playing a great qualifying final along with their elite group of small forwards. How Lachie Neale manages this ongoing heel injury we only found out about this week could dictate the Lions’ future with mid-sized forwards Zac Bailey and Cameron Rayner needing to step up. For Port their most important player is Mitch Georgiades with Todd Marshall out with concussion and Charlie Dixon’s fitness in doubt. The Swans won’t lose if Chad Warner, Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden play well and I think they would like more scoreboard impact from Logan McDonald, Joel Amartey and Hayden Mclean. I can’t wait for tomorrow night.

3. The Ken Hinkley-Jack Ginnivan-James Sicily incident was completely blown out of all proportion.

Ginnivan likes to puff his chest out and, without knowing him, I don’t think he’d be losing too much sleep copping a bit back from Kenny. Let’s just move on and the $20,000 fine was a bit over the top from the AFL.

4. Joe Daniher is compelling to watch.

He has had many critics over the years with the chief knock against him being that he is unable to finish in front of goal at crucial times. One of these occasions was only a few weeks ago against the Pies. Joe answered his critics with two huge goals for the Lions to ice one of the great finals comeback wins. You’ve gotta love that.

5. Will Ashcroft is the ultimate professional.

He suffered an ACL injury late in his first season last year but returned in round 17 this year and hasn’t missed a beat. That says a lot about his attitude and work ethic. What a final he played last Saturday night and it came right when Brisbane needed it with Neale battling a foot injury and being heavily tagged. What a star in the making.

6. It took Nick Watson a while to get going in his first season as it does for most young players, but he came home with a wet sail.

Seven goals in his two finals shows he loves the big stage. He became a real cult figure at Hawthorn despite being a rookie – there have been wizard hats everywhere. The attention adds more pressure but he loves it. A terrific first year player.

7. The Hawks were the story of 2024.

Their list is stacked with youth and is in very good shape. Tom Barrass and Josh Battle are on the way to strengthen their defence, but I think they need to find one more key tall forward. Mitch Lewis won’t be back until late 2025, while Kalsher Dear is young and although he had a good first year he was not been consistent. Marbior Chol was solid most of the year but unfortunately had two quiet finals.

8. Those two finals losses are going to hurt the Giants for a while.

They had both games under control and should have won them. They went into match saving mode too early in both games and paid the price. Lessons will be learnt and I predict they’ll be contending again in 2025.

9. Jack Martin has been delisted by Carlton. I’m sure it’s purely based on his inability to get on the park due to injury.

He has so much talent but has been unable to showcase it. It must be so frustrating for Jack. If I was a list manager at an AFL club I’d take a chance on him and back my fitness and medical team to get him right.

10. If I could come back and play as a leading key forward in this competition the player I would want feeding me the ball would be Willie Rioli.

He has sublime foot skills, poise and an ability to make the right decisions under pressure. He was the difference against the Hawks.