Valued Richmond veteran Chris Newman has fairly sound knowledge of player fitness levels at this time of the year.

It’s the knowledge acquired from having undergone rigorous pre-seasons since the early 2000s when his AFL career kicked off.

So, when Newman praises the pre-season efforts of Tiger young gun Dustin Martin, you can’t help but take notice . . .

Pre-order your copy of Richmond's new membership anthem, Coming Home (to Richmond), sung by Alex Lloyd

“He’d had a fantastic pre-season.  He’s run a PB (Personal Best) in his 2km time trial, and all his indications suggest that he’s in very good physical condition,” Newman said.

“The last couple of years, he’d been sort of struggling to get to the bench and those sorts of things.

“But (in the opening pre-season challenge match against Melbourne last Friday night at Etihad Stadium), he was looking reasonably fresh.

“NAB 1 is a real blowout, particularly that first 10-20 minutes of the first quarter.  I think everyone was feeling the pinch a little bit, because they’re not used to that physicality.

“But I’ve got supreme confidence in Dusty’s aerobic capacity, that’s for sure.”

Martin was one of Richmond’s best in the 14-point loss to the Demons, being used in a different role across half-back.

He had 21 disposals, including seven inside-50 entries, and took seven marks.