Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has heaped praise on Tigers midfield star Dustin Martin for the outstanding form he’s produced over the past month.
Martin is averaging 31 disposals per match in his last five games, 14.9 contested possessions, 5.9 inside-50s and 5.6 clearances.
He racked up a career-high 38 touches in Richmond’s 38-point win against Essendon in last Saturday night’s ‘Dreamtime’ clash, and was subsequently awarded the Yiooken award after being voted best afield by a panel of football experts.
“What I’ve noticed, and what I love about the way Dustin’s playing at the moment, is the level of contested footy he’s getting,” Cotchin said on 3AW.
“He’s always been an accumulator of the ball, but I love the fact he’s winning a lot of his own footy. And, obviously, he’s shown that he’s very hard to tackle and he’s a strong boy . . .
“Every time that he does get out of a tackle, it’s generally going 40-50 metres our way.
“So, that’s what I love about the way he’s playing his footy at the moment.
“He’s winning his own ball and not relying on others to get it to him, which he has done in the past.
“His consistency has been amazing. It has been over the last three years, but (this is) certainly the best style of footy I’ve seen him play.”
Cotchin then provided an insight into Martin’s impressive personal development off the field . . .
“I’ve spent a lot of time with him since he’s been at the footy club, but absolutely noticeably, the last probably 24 months, he’s really grown as a person,” Cotchin said.
“He’s always been a really genuine character, but I think if you spoke to any one of our players at the footy club, he would be one of the guys that cares most about each individual.
“A lot of people would probably be surprised to hear that . . .
“He doesn’t have a lot to say to people he doesn’t really know, but he’s a fantastic character . . .
“He is speaking up more, and he sees the game really well, which is why he’s such a fantastic player.”
Round 10: Cotchin reminiscent of Campbell
Richmond vice-captain Brett Deledio also spoke in glowing terms about Martin’s rise into the ranks of the competition’s elite midfielders.
“Dusty’s gone from spending more time forward, to a majority of his time now in the midfield, and we’re definitely reaping the benefits of it as a team because he’s such a big animal in there,” Deledio said on Channel Seven.
“He just fends them off, gets out, and gives it to our users in ‘Grigga’ (Shaun Grigg) and Brandon Ellis on the outside.
“I think he’s probably changed a little bit how he’s gone about it.
“Dimma’s (coach Damien Hardwick) always challenged him to be that contested bull . . . Obviously spending more time (in the midfield) gives you that opportunity.”
And, dependable Tigers defender Dylan Grimes was similarly enthusiastic in his assessment of Martin.
“He’s a star . . . he’s good every week,” Grimes told ‘Roar Vision’.
“One thing that he’s really built into his game is real consistency.
“We don’t see him coming in and out of games like he used to. He really puts in that four-quarter performance.
“And, he’s just so damaging with the footy.
“I’d kill to have skills like him.
“We’ve come to rely on him now, we expect high numbers from Dusty, and he’s been performing really well.
“He’s been a real soldier for us.”
