In a special series leading up to the 2017 AFL national draft, richmondfc.com.au takes a look at the Tigers’ construction of their drought-breaking premiership team this year via the competition’s main talent acquisition pathway throughout the past decade. Today, we focus on the drafting of Dustin Martin.
Richmond recruiting manager Francis Jackson had some sleepless nights approaching the 2009 national draft.
The Tigers had pick three in the draft and Jackson was extremely keen on powerfully-built, highly-skilled, young gun Castlemaine midfielder Dustin Martin.
But Melbourne had the first two draft selections after finishing with the wooden spoon in the ’09 season and qualifying for a priority pick.
So Jackson was forced to sweat it out until draft night, when the Demons called out Tom Scully’s name at pick one, followed by Jack Trengove with their second selection.
Jackson, consequently, couldn’t call Dustin Martin’s name out quickly enough at pick three overall in the ’09 national draft.
“Dustin has been on our radar since last year. He is a special talent and we have tracked him closely,” Jackson said post-draft.
“We knew last year that he would go top five in the Draft. He has improved even further over the past year and had a stellar performance at the under-18s national carnival, which culminated in him being named in the All-Australian side (in the centre) . . .
“He is unbelievably football focused,” Jackson said.
“Despite leaving school early, he has had terrific life experiences and is a very hard worker.
“He is a nice country kid, very humble, but has a fanatical desire to be the best he can.”
Former league player (at Fitzroy, Richmond and St Kilda) Jamie Elliott was Castlemaine’s coach in 2008 when Martin, then 16 years of age, came under his guidance, and he soon realised the teenager possessed exceptional playing ability.
“As a club, we felt we needed to be pushing the kid to be where he should be because you knew at that early stage he was pretty special, but he was too young to be drafted in 2008,” Elliott said in the aftermath of Martin’s drafting by Richmond.
“He’s just a powerful, powerful kid; I used to do one-on-ones with him as a 16-year-old and he would just push me off the ball.
“I’ve never seen a kid run into a pack of six or seven men and come out backwards with the ball . . . it’s not as though he was running through the pack, he would run in like a bull, grab the footy and run out backwards.
“There’s no doubt he’s the best kid I’ve seen play at that age; he’s just a phenomenal talent.”
Dustin Martin in his own words pre-draft
What type of player are you?
A centre, who is a good clearance player. Can run and carry, can play both ends and set up attacks.
Which AFL player do you feel you resemble, and why?
Joel Selwood. Good around contests, good skill level and decision-making.
What are your strengths as a footballer?
Strength, skills, ability to read the play and decision-making.
What parts of your game would you like to improve?
Fitness.
Which AFL team do you support and how did you come to barrack for them?
St Kilda. I’ve known Rod Keogh from when I was young.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far, and why?
Myself. Because I want the best out of myself.
Dustin Martin AFL fact file
Debut: Round 1, 2010 v Carlton, MCG
Games: 178
Goals: 187
Honours: 2017 Brownlow Medal winner, dual Jack Dyer Medal winner (2016, 2017), two-time All-Australian representative (2016, 2017), member of Richmond’s 2017 premiership team
