Richmond want Dustin Martin to be an offensive and defensive threatJon Pierik
The Age
Feb 12, 2017Dustin Martin may be the Tigers' reigning best and fairest but the midfield bull has been asked to continue to refine his defensive game.
Martin, a free agent this season and assessing his future, was one of the stand-out performers in the Tigers' intra-club clash before about 1500 supporters – including his manager Ralph Carr – at Punt Rd on Saturday, finding plenty of the ball forward of centre and typically penetrating with his long kicks.
However, teammate Kane Lambert said the Tigers needed their star onballer to also be a force defensively.
"That's just vintage Dusty. We have come to expect that from him," Lambert said when asked about Martin's offensive impact.
"But we also expect him to play defence as well. That's a part of the game that he is working on because we know he can play the attacking side, but he is going to have another great year."
Martin is coming off a career-best year, claiming the Jack Dyer medal having averaged 31.1 disposals, 12.6 contested possessions and 18.2 uncontested possessions per game – all career highs. But deeper analysis shows he became more of a defensive midfielder, for he picked up the most defensive half kicks and most overall short kicks in 2016.
Less than 10 per cent of his disposals were in the forward line, the first time since his debut season, and he would contribute only nine goals. He had booted more than 20 goals a season apart from his debut year.
In a year where coach Damien Hardwick could be fighting for his career, there is a feeling Martin – being considered for promotion into the leadership group – would be a greater threat if he found more touches forward of centre.
"He is an attacking weapon, whether that's forward or through the midfield. He still has the ability to kick goals but it's up to 'Dimma' and the coaching panel where they want to play him," Lambert said.
Riewoldt was a major threat up forward on Saturday, spending plenty of time deep inside attacking 50 and contributing directly to several goals.
There was criticism of the Tigers last season over allowing him to drift too far from goal. He won only 44 per cent of his disposals inside 50, his lowest percentage since 2009. It was no surprise that his goal tally (48) was his lowest since 2009.
While the Tigers wanted his teammates to get more involved in scoring, they would average 77.9 points per game – their lowest since 2004 and 15th among all teams last season.
"I think we have a few more attacking options. Obviously, big 'Tobes' [Toby Nankervis] can go down there. I think we are OK," Lambert said.
Nankervis, the former Sydney ruckman/forward, also impressed on Saturday. Nankervis had been an emergency in last year's grand final.
"He has been great. You don't want to be on an opposition side because he will go right through. That's what we want – he'll bring aggression and I think he is going to be a touch of class," Lambert said.
Fellow new boys Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy also found plenty of the ball through the midfield, with former Sun Prestia showing no signs of the knee injury which derailed his 2016 campaign.
"He has been building up nicely. We have to make sure he gets through but the way he moved today, we are pretty happy with him," Lambert said.
Nick Vlastuin and rookie Tyson Stengle were also prominent on a day champion defender Alex Rance, Shaun Hampson, Bachar Houli and Steven Morris were among those rested.
The Tigers have also been working on quicker ball movement but Lambert, who boasts speed and toughness, again stressed the need for a defensive mindset.
"We are always trying to change a few different things from last year. Obviously, the footy is pretty hot out there. The boys want to get their hands on it. It was probably too offensive but we will work on that throughout the year," Lambert said.
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