The frank conversation that got Dusty firingHerald-Sun
1 June 2016IF ANY player has been a barometer for his team this season, it’s been Dustin Martin for Richmond.
Like his team, he started off 2016 in sluggish style. He lacked ambition, won possession cheaply and, at times, looked disinterested.
Yet just like Richmond, Martin has turned his season around sensationally.
The catalyst? A frank conversation with teammates.
Jack Riewoldt said while the conversation was not wholly about his ability to win the contested ball, the players willed on Dusty to give more.
“With the regard the football club holds him in and the players hold him in, we said to him, ‘we need you to stand up because we’re playing poor footy’,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
“As you can see by the results we’re getting at the moment, and the way that Dustin is playing, it’s a pretty good correlation.
“When you get your good players playing well you play your best footy. We expected more from him and he stood up to his credit.”
In the last three weeks, Martin has averaged 32 disposals, including a career-high 38 touches in last week’s Dreamtime at the ‘G match against Richmond. Unsurprisingly, the Tigers have won all three matches when Martin has been firing.
“He’s really lead the midfield and he lead it through the two weeks (captain Trent Cotchin) was out with the cheekbone (injury),” Riewoldt said.
“Credit to a young man who’s starting to fill some big shoes.”
Riewoldt said at only 24, Martin’s best years of footy were still ahead of him, which was an exciting prospect for the Tigers.
“He’s been a long-term project for us and I say that because he came in and had a really big impact, but getting his body to where it is now has been a long-term project for him,” he said.
“His leadership is starting to develop and his game has become a lot more well rounded.
“He’s making great decisions with the ball, he’s still got that Dustin Martin fend off, but he’s really developing as a person and I think that’s showing with the maturity in his football as well.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/we-need-you-to-stand-up-because-were-playing-poor-footy-the-conversation-that-fired-up-dusty/news-story/06c1446c3a52260998df100fd99e1802