Dustin Martin [merged]

[big tone]

He was also very ordinary chasing Melbourne players. Was a couple of steps away from the opposition and didn't even run to pressure on more than one occasion....

You could say that about most players at some stage in every game.
6 tackles tells me he was having a pretty decent dip defensively.
Add that to him not being 100% fit that night and he was awesome imo.

[YellowandBlackBlood]

He was also very ordinary chasing Melbourne players. Was a couple of steps away from the opposition and didn't even run to pressure on more than one occasion....

You could say that about most players at some stage in every game.
6 tackles tells me he was having a pretty decent dip defensively.
Add that to him not being 100% fit that night and he was awesome imo.

No. Unless you were there and it happened in front of your eyes you wouldn't say this.  It was extremely poor to see him put zero defensive effort in those situations.  The group I was with agreed that he must be injured to look so lame. However he came out in the last quarter like a different player when he was in an attacking mode. We can't afford any of our players to be so poor defensively. If he is not fit, rest him. If he is fit, he must up his defensive efforts.

[big tone]

He was also very ordinary chasing Melbourne players. Was a couple of steps away from the opposition and didn't even run to pressure on more than one occasion....

You could say that about most players at some stage in every game.
6 tackles tells me he was having a pretty decent dip defensively.
Add that to him not being 100% fit that night and he was awesome imo.

No. Unless you were there and it happened in front of your eyes you wouldn't say this.  It was extremely poor to see him put zero defensive effort in those situations.  The group I was with agreed that he must be injured to look so lame. However he came out in the last quarter like a different player when he was in an attacking mode. We can't afford any of our players to be so poor defensively. If he is not fit, rest him. If he is fit, he must up his defensive efforts.

I was there.
And like I said you can pick lazy efforts from any player if you look hard enough. Even the greats have lazy moments and you are kidding yourself if you think otherwise.
Martin wasn't 100% in that game and maybe he decide which efforts were worth potentially making it worse. Have you got a problem with someone of his caliber making that call if he isn't 100% fit?

Overall has was very good that night and was instrumental in us winning that game, don't let a few lazy efforts take away from that fact.
If Dusty doesn't play that night, we don't win.

[tony_montana]

Agree BT, think we can sometimes get too picky - guy is a superstar and doesnt deserve to have every error scrutinized.

[Willy]

I also noticed that he failed to put pressure on a few times in the Dees game. As in, even less defensive pressure than he usual exerts. Looked hampered by something. Still played well on balance though.

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Never said he didn't play well. He ended up being one of our best and won the game for us. However, that was against a team that was two men down and disadvantaged. We need him playing well and defending against top sides not just thumping minnows. And I love Dusty. Just needs to bring defence and well as offence sometimes....

[lamington]

His kicking was off tonight. For goal and inside 50s. An ok performance but we expect more from Dusty

[mightytiges]

His kicking was off tonight. For goal and inside 50s. An ok performance but we expect more from Dusty

Yep. It's been off for a few weeks. He had a game high 7 clangers tonight. I wonder if that groin injury is hampering him more than is being lead on.

[tony_montana]

I thought he was influential tonight. For mine didnt look hampered by the groin and seemed to be moving freely again after looking noticeably ginger the previous 2 weeks.

[TigerLand]

That effort on the outer wing was as elite contested play you'll see. Must do his head in seeing some of his opponents shirk contests sometimes.

[lamington]

That effort on the outer wing was as elite contested play you'll see. Must do his head in seeing some of his opponents shirk contests sometimes.

My penis did move when I saw that play. I thought that maybe we would be home. I agree that was an amazing passage from him

[mightytiges]

I thought he was influential tonight. For mine didnt look hampered by the groin and seemed to be moving freely again after looking noticeably ginger the previous 2 weeks.

Fair enough, TM. He did have 28 possies and kicked 2 goals. Perhaps I'm a harsh judge. I just think Dusty's disposal at times in the last few rounds has been ordinary. Missing too many getable targets that have resulted in missed opportunities and/or turnovers (obviously he's not robinson crusoe there at Richmond). He had 4 ineffective kicks in the 3rd qtr tonight and his kicking for goal was off. IMHO, Dusty has dropped away a bit from the eliteness of the first 3 rounds. 

[WilliamPowell]

That miss in the last qtr was costly, so costly

[TigerLand]

Think Dusty can be given some slack, 28 touches and 2 goals. More mistakes than we would like. Take Dusty out and we lose by 5 goals tonight IMO.

[big tone]

When you get it as many times as Dusty does and in close like and under pressure like Dusty does, there is going to be some missed targets and even some missed goal due to fatigue.

I seriously don't get people that want to pick out 3 missed kicks from 100 minutes of footy from a guy that nearly wins you the game every week. Same goes for Rance, Jack and Cotch. It's the other meatheads in our side that do 5 good things  and then do 6 stupid things for the game that need scrutinising imo. The Houli's, Astbury's and of course the BEllis'.

If I were those 4 I'd lose my poo playing for this side.