Martin, 25, polled 62 votes in the count at Crown Casino to claim the Jack Dyer Medal by one vote from fellow All-Australian Alex Rance.

It ended a run of near-misses in the award for the bull-like midfielder, who finished in the top three in four of the five previous seasons – including as runner-up to key backman Rance last year.

Having faced intense criticism during the year, Tigers captain Trent Cotchin finished third on 51 votes, with Jack Riewoldt (43) fourth and Shaun Grigg (35) fifth.

Cotchin led the count to Richmond's mid-season bye before Rance and Martin charged home, resulting in a thrilling finish.

While Richmond won just eight games in 2016 – ending a run of three consecutive finals appearances – Martin remained a force.

He averaged 31 disposals during a stellar year in which he played every game for the second straight season. Martin finished fourth in the league for disposals, second for kicks, fifth for inside 50s and equal 18th for clearances. The major criticism of his game was his at-times wasteful ball use, highlighted by his AFL-high 113 clangers. Attacks on Martin's disposal peaked after his career-best 43 disposals against Essendon in round 17 included 18 ineffective kicks.

ABC radio special comments man Mark Maclure contentiously decided not to award Martin a vote in the broadcaster's player of the year award for his performance. Martin's other major area of falling was discipline, with only Greater Western Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford giving away more free kicks in 2016 than the Tiger.

No stranger to controversy, Martin's build-up for the 2016 campaign was turbulent, even by his standards. Just over nine months ago he made repeated headlines after a heated confrontation with a woman at a Windsor restaurant.

Probes by both the police and AFL ensued, but Martin was cleared of major misconduct, receiving only a $5000 suspended fine from the club.

Then a fortnight out from the season his father Shane was ordered to be sent back to New Zealand, due to his involvement with an outlaw bikie gang.

Richmond's woes were highlighted by the fact vice-captain Brett Deledio finished 10th despite playing just half of the Tigers' games due to injuries.

Out-of-contract  forward Ty Vickery did not attend the count as he is in the US with his wife, tennis player Arina Rodionova. Vickery has been linked to both Hawthorn and Carlton.

Deledio – whose future at the club has also been a talking point – attended, returning from a holiday in Queensland.

The count occurred against a backdrop of upheaval at Punt Road after a rebel group – including 1980 premiership players Bruce Monteath and Bryan Wood – launched a campaign to oust the club's board at an election later in the year.

The rebels' platform centred on the hiring of Collingwood administrator Neil Balme – whose future at the Holden Centre was clouded by the recent promotion of Graeme Allan to the head of football role, despite the revelation he was being investigated for his role in Greater Western Sydney player Lachie Whitfield's alleged evasion of a drug test last year, when Allan was still at the Giants.

Tigers president Peggy O'Neal was defiant after the unveiling of the rival Focus on Footy group.

The Tigers are also reviewing their football department, having already shafted multiple assistant coaches as senior coach Damien Hardwick prepares for a crucial eighth season at the helm.

2016 Jack Dyer Medal top 10

1st Dustin Martin, 62 votes

2nd Alex Rance, 61 votes

3rd Trent Cotchin, 51 votes

4th Jack Riewoldt, 43 votes

5th Shaun Grigg, 35 votes

6th Anthony Miles, 31 votes

Equal 7th Dylan Grimes, 30 votes

Equal 7th Brandon Ellis, 30 votes

9th Nick Vlastuin, 29 votes

10th Brett Deledio, 28 votes