Dustin time Jon Pierik
The Age
January 29, 2013 WHILE Dustin Martin continues to learn the lifestyle standards required of an elite AFL player, on the field the enigmatic young Richmond star has impressed with his commitment.
Rookie Tigers captain Trent Cotchin said Martin's performance at a training session in Pakenham on Friday had been particularly impressive.
''It was probably one of the best individual training sessions I have seen from him,'' Cotchin told Fairfax Media on Monday.
''It's very exciting for him … He has been running well.
''It's exciting for us and the fans. We just have to make sure he stays injury free and, hopefully, he will have his best year yet.''
Martin's off-field lifestyle remains a work in progress for the Tigers in a year in which the robust forward and midfielder is off contract and hopes to secure a long-term deal.
Preliminary discussions between the club and Martin's management have begun.
While his talent is undeniable, the 21-year-old has yet to understand the disciplines required after shifting out of the home of president Gary March.
Mark Williams, the former Port Adelaide premiership coach now a development coach with the Tigers, is working closely with Martin.
He has been banned from socialising with former teammate Daniel Connors - although there have been reports of sightings of the pair together.
Martin was suspended for two matches and Connors sacked after they slept in and missed a training session in July. The pair had abused sleeping pills, with Martin revealing he had taken prescription pills from a friend after drinking.
Former skipper Chris Newman said earlier this month Martin, who had Ben Cousins as his idol, was ''still trying to develop himself, not only as a footballer but as a person''.
''Off-field, we've got a standard that we set that everyone has to adhere to,'' Newman said. ''Dustin's still trying to get that good balance between having a healthy lifestyle outside of football and also delivering on the field.''
Coach Damien Hardwick, who is said to have had stern words with Martin over the Christmas period, says it is during the off-season when Martin could lose his way and has urged him to find an interest outside of the club.
Cotchin said Martin, the third overall pick in the 2009 national draft, had benefited from another pre-season. ''His fitness has improved over the pre-season. Especially the way the rotations are going I think we are going to have to find him even more time in the midfield, but he will cope with that just fine,'' he said.
''As we all know, he is very dangerous when he goes forward. There is no doubt we will throw him down there as well.''
After a superb 2011 campaign in which he finished third in the best and fairest, Martin did not develop as the Tigers had hoped last year, finishing equal 10th in the count for the Jack Dyer Medal.
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