Dustin Martin [merged]

[one-eyed]

All-Australian and the guns who won't be there
Brad Hardie
The Age
August 20, 2012

If there's nothing left to gain this year from a team point of view, it's only natural those not taking part in the finals will start thinking about All-Australian selection. If you've had a good year in a bad side, All-Australian selection can be a nice consolation prize.

Having said that, there'll be a few guns missing out this year ... players full of promise and earning mega bucks who simply haven't delivered on their KPIs this year, for whatever reason. I'm going to run through six players just now who should be in the side, but won't be, and my reasons why I think they've struggled this year ...


Dustin Martin (Richmond)

This time last year, only a fool would bet on Trent Cotchin out-developing and out-ranking Martin as the most dominant midfielder at Tigerland, but it's happened, and there's probably only one good excuse for it. We all remember that incident a couple of months back when he turned up late for training and was sanctioned by the club. Such a public affair and disciplinary action can knock your confidence, and that's why I think he's struggling just now. Cotchin has streaked ahead of him in growth as a player, but Martin is young and can catch up.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/blogs/harden-up/allaustralian-and-the-guns-who-wont-be-there-20120820-24hnq.html#ixzz24G4yWAl4

[Yeahright]

All-Australian and the guns who won't be there
Brad Hardie
The Age
August 20, 2012

If there's nothing left to gain this year from a team point of view, it's only natural those not taking part in the finals will start thinking about All-Australian selection. If you've had a good year in a bad side, All-Australian selection can be a nice consolation prize.

Having said that, there'll be a few guns missing out this year ... players full of promise and earning mega bucks who simply haven't delivered on their KPIs this year, for whatever reason. I'm going to run through six players just now who should be in the side, but won't be, and my reasons why I think they've struggled this year ...


Dustin Martin (Richmond)

This time last year, only a fool would bet on Trent Cotchin out-developing and out-ranking Martin as the most dominant midfielder at Tigerland, but it's happened, and there's probably only one good excuse for it. We all remember that incident a couple of months back when he turned up late for training and was sanctioned by the club. Such a public affair and disciplinary action can knock your confidence, and that's why I think he's struggling just now. Cotchin has streaked ahead of him in growth as a player, but Martin is young and can catch up.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/blogs/harden-up/allaustralian-and-the-guns-who-wont-be-there-20120820-24hnq.html#ixzz24G4yWAl4

guy has no clue

[the claw]

All-Australian and the guns who won't be there
Brad Hardie
The Age
August 20, 2012

If there's nothing left to gain this year from a team point of view, it's only natural those not taking part in the finals will start thinking about All-Australian selection. If you've had a good year in a bad side, All-Australian selection can be a nice consolation prize.

Having said that, there'll be a few guns missing out this year ... players full of promise and earning mega bucks who simply haven't delivered on their KPIs this year, for whatever reason. I'm going to run through six players just now who should be in the side, but won't be, and my reasons why I think they've struggled this year ...


Dustin Martin (Richmond)

This time last year, only a fool would bet on Trent Cotchin out-developing and out-ranking Martin as the most dominant midfielder at Tigerland, but it's happened, and there's probably only one good excuse for it. We all remember that incident a couple of months back when he turned up late for training and was sanctioned by the club. Such a public affair and disciplinary action can knock your confidence, and that's why I think he's struggling just now. Cotchin has streaked ahead of him in growth as a player, but Martin is young and can catch up.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/blogs/harden-up/allaustralian-and-the-guns-who-wont-be-there-20120820-24hnq.html#ixzz24G4yWAl4

guy has no clue

your not wrong there.
martins season is not that far off last yrs. you can see it plain as day on match days imo his tank is the thing that is holding martin back.
it may take a yr or it may take 3 yrs but only when dustins tank improves significantly will his defensive game  and over all performances  significantly improve. think jack ziebel but not as bad or gary ablett junior.
it may take a few more yrs but it will turn and then watch out.

anyway  i dont know what people are complaining about with him atm his output and influence when hes in the game is very good. expectations not just at richmond but the footy world are silly at times.
atm i will take 22 possies a game  and 30 odd goals a season. what i would like to see slowly improve more than anything is the 1percenters and the defensive side of the game.
when i look at martin i see mark ricciuto mk2 just give it time.

[dwaino]

I think a lot of journos and those sorts have missed that Martin hasn't spent as much time on the ball this year. He definitely wasn't his best this season, but with our main on ball rotations, Cotch and Deledio start a lot in the guts and Martin up forward and replaces either when they need a spell. I'm really liking this set up and Martin is going to be an absolute nightmare to match up on in the future. He is too strong from a small defender and too quick for a tall, and his core strength makes him hard to stop when on the ball.

Keep it up, Dusty 

[Yeahright]

I think a lot of journos and those sorts have missed that Martin hasn't spent as much time on the ball this year. He definitely wasn't his best this season, but with our main on ball rotations, Cotch and Deledio start a lot in the guts and Martin up forward and replaces either when they need a spell. I'm really liking this set up and Martin is going to be an absolute nightmare to match up on in the future. He is too strong from a small defender and too quick for a tall, and his core strength makes him hard to stop when on the ball.

Keep it up, Dusty 

I like this set up too, with a hard body clearance freak like Tuck and hopefully Conca to be in there

[unplugged]

Hes had a very ordinary year.

He shouldn't be compared in performance to the other duds on the list.  Each player on the list should be judged individually. His performance should be based on his talent and ability vrs his output.  His output isn't anywhere near where it should be for a player of his talent and ability.  If he has broken even with his performances of last year, for a young developing player to stagnate, that is going backwards.  His defensive efforts are non existent and his ability to break tackles has not improved since last year.  Its not just motor, he is lazy.

Another player who hasn't developed under Hardwick.

With decent coaches, this guy would have the motor and confidence to be the best player in the afl.  We shouldn't be waiting three years for that just like we shouldn't have had to wait so long for Deledio to go in the midfield.  Not good enough.

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Hes had a very ordinary year.

He shouldn't be compared in performance to the other duds on the list.  Each player on the list should be judged individually. His performance should be based on his talent and ability vrs his output.  His output isn't anywhere near where it should be for a player of his talent and ability.  If he has broken even with his performances of last year, for a young developing player to stagnate, that is going backwards.  His defensive efforts are non existent and his ability to break tackles has not improved since last year.  Its not just motor, he is lazy.

Another player who hasn't developed under Hardwick.

With decent coaches, this guy would have the motor and confidence to be the best player in the afl.  We shouldn't be waiting three years for that just like we shouldn't have had to wait so long for Deledio to go in the midfield.  Not good enough.

Real motivation comes from within. Look at Fyfe. Change of coaches has meant nothing to him. He just goes about his business because he demands 100% effort from himself. This is not one you can pin on Hardwick. Team strategies etc etc yes. Individual motivation, no. The fact is Hardwick was there the last two years when he has played better anyway!

[Yeahright]

With decent coaches, this guy would have the motor and confidence to be the best player in the afl.  We shouldn't be waiting three years for that just like we shouldn't have had to wait so long for Deledio to go in the midfield.  Not good enough.

What 3rd year player has been the best player in the AFL?

[Judge Roughneck]

Judd was a monster then

Before lost speed

[Smokey]

With decent coaches, this guy would have the motor and confidence to be the best player in the afl.  We shouldn't be waiting three years for that just like we shouldn't have had to wait so long for Deledio to go in the midfield.  Not good enough.

What 3rd year player has been the best player in the AFL?

Chris Judd?

[JVT]

Won a Brownlow in his 3rd season didn't he?

[Smokey]

Won a Brownlow in his 3rd season didn't he?

Yup, with 30 votes.  Would make him pretty close to the "best player in the AFL" imho.

[Ox]

Dustin in 2012/natural ability = Fail

[Yeahright]

Exactly his a freak, not many people would expect a 3rd year player to reach Judd level

[Willy]

Dustin's year has been disappointing, but I don't think we can blame Dimma for it. Dusty is still maturing as a person. I reckon he'l learn from this year and completely tear poo up next year.