He is unmatched in reading the flight and bounce of the ball. How often do you see his direct opponent run towards the ball, completely misread the fall of it, and there's Dusty just waiting for it.
His second goal in the grand final last year. I've watched that clip so many times and it still amazes me how the ball ended up in his hands. It's a combination of footy smarts, confidence and freakish talent.
And keeping his feet. He always keeps his feet.
So exciting to see if he can get there this year
100% agree ...
there's no h in thankyou melbourne
HaHaHa true!
That is one of the most ironic draft failures of all time. Tank to get the first two draft picks, then take two who aren't even top ten worthy in retrospect, while the club cheated out of the top pick still gets their preferred player who just happens to be one of the very best of all time if not the best. Oh, and win the wooden spoon in the process.
Like lambs to the slaughter, so are the 2009 top picks to Melbourne.
Not my line, but I'll repeat it anyway. DeGoey is what you get when you order Dustin Martin on Wish.
Talking about quick thinking.. if you look closely sometimes he changes his kick mid ball drop if there’s a better option and still nails it to a tee. Meanwhile there’s yokels like Dangerfield running around who barely kick it off their shin half the time.
must have killed jay clarke to write a richmond articleOlder, wiser Dusty showing no signs of slowing down
- Jay Clark
Richmond superstar Dustin Martin will start the season in excellent condition after showing on the training track this summer he was hungry for more success.
Tigers’ high performance chief Peter Burge confirmed the squad was in good shape heading into the new season with only three players currently in the rehabilitation group.
Ruckman Ivan Soldo and youngster Noah Cumberland are both out with serious knee injuries, while Bachar Houli is in doubt for Round 1 with the calf problem he suffered in the Grand Final.
Dustin Martin continues to set the high bar in the AFL.
Gun midfielder Dion Prestia also tweaked his ankle in match simulation last week, but is expected to be back in full training next week.
It means Richmond is pleased with its fitness bill four months after taking out back-to-back premierships, in another big tick for its strength and conditioning department.
And even as Martin prepares to turn 30 this year, Burge said the champion ballwinner had enjoyed another outstanding pre-season campaign and was showing no signs of slowing down.
“He’s been pretty impressive, ‘Dusty’,” Burge said.
“He would hate for me to be talking him up, but for someone who has achieved so much in the past few years you could excuse someone maybe for just taking their foot off the pedal.
“But he has done the opposite.
Martin has achieved so much in recent times.
“He doesn’t miss training, he is always looking to do more, and he’s just really impressive.”
Martin, 29, cemented his reputation as one of the greatest big game players in AFL history in the Tigers’ third premiership win in four years, taking out his third Norm Smith Medal.
Burge said even after a decent session on Monday at Punt Rd Oval, Martin was keen to do more.
“He asked me afterwards if he could do a (extra) fartlek (interval running) session,” Burge said.
“I said ‘Mate you don’t need to do it today, you’ve got a pretty heavy session coming up’, but quite often he will do something anyway because he likes to maintain that high standard.
“He’s older and he’s more mature and he really enjoys being around his teammates given COVID and all of the restrictions.
“He gets a real lift coming in to the club and training. It’s his outlet and he loves it.”
More here with updates on Bachar Houli's calf injury and contract negotiations with Damien Hardwick.
