On for young and old MARTIN BLAKE
June 16, 2010 FOOTBALL thrives on renewal.
Down at Richmond, you would think they had won the flag this week, but the Tigers have only won two games for the season. That's because if you are not winning premierships, the next best thing in the supporters' eyes is the rebuild.
So the Tiger faithful are enraptured by Jumping Jack Riewoldt pulling the Sherrin from the sky, and by ''Dusty'' Dustin Martin the man-child toiling at the centre bounces along with the still-young Trent Cotchin. Rightly, so, too.
At Richmond, the rebuild has come almost exclusively through youth.
Richmond's No. 3 draft pick Martin would almost certainly have been one of the favourites [for the rising star award], but was suspended earlier this season, and so is ineligible.
Richmond's dreadlocked Ben Nason has shown up as a willing small forward and is already a crowd favourite.
It's the same wherever you trawl. For in footy, renewal equals hope.
The eyecatchers of 2010BEN NASONLooked like a school kid who should be sent for a haircut on debut in round one, but has played every game and looked more assured by the week. Impact on 2010 will be far greater than simply the young bloke who had his hair pulled by Sam Mitchell.
Key stats: 12 games, has kicked three goals twice.
DUSTIN MARTINAmazingly mature for an 18-year-old, he is already comfortable at centre bounces and stoppages around the ground.
Key stats: 11 games, 5 goals, averaging 20 disposals.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/on-for-young-and-old-20100615-ydah.html
