A strong pre-season has Richmond powerhouse Dustin Martin in top shape to take his game to an even higher level in 2015.

The exciting 23-year-old capped off his most consistent season of league football in 2014 by finishing third in the Club’s Best and Fairest.

Early in the season, when the Tigers were struggling, Martin was a standout through the midfield.

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Later on, with the team storming home to ultimately clinch a place in the finals, Martin played a critical role deep forward, using his superb skills in one-on-one contests to full advantage.

The plan is for Martin to spend more time in the midfield this year, and his Tiger teammate Steven Morris believes he’s ready to become one of the elite players of the competition.

“I must say I haven’t seen Dusty work harder,” Morris said.

“Everyone knows about his X-factor and how special a player he is, but just his consistency really stood out for me last year . . . He was just so consistent for us.

“Whether we were playing well or playing poorly, Dusty continued his really consistent form right throughout the season."

Morris is a huge fan of the way Martin goes about his football.

“He does things that not many others can do,” Morris said

“That ‘stat’ he had at the end of the season, about how many contests he wins one-on-one, inside-50, is just amazing. It goes to show what a good one-on-one player he is.

“It takes a special player to be able to do it inside in the midfield, on the outside, and then go up forward and be so dangerous. 

“He’s certainly training well and, hopefully, can continue on that consistent form from last year.”