Richmond star Dustin Martin never truly considered leaving the Tigers and is now poised to take his game to a new level in 2014, according to captain Trent Cotchin.   

Martin eventually re-signed with Richmond for two years, and Cotchin said the 22-year-old had been welcomed back to pre-season at Tigerland with open arms, and was confident the powerful onballer hadn't considered a future elsewhere.   

"I think in his head there was never really a period where he was leaving the footy club," Cotchin said on Wednesday.  

"I know how much he loves the guys and I know how much he's learned from so many different individuals within our club.

"He just wants to make people happy and that's the best thing about him, he will do anything and everything for his teammates.

"He's a very good person, he's very genuine and he cares a lot about where this group is going."

Martin finished runner-up in the 2013 Jack Dyer Medal, underlining his individual improvement, and Cotchin believes he has the ability to push on and become one of the Tigers' greats.   

"I certainly do, [but] he's got to play some consistent footy," Cotchin said. 

"That's been his issue in the past.

"He had his best year last year, his most consistent, and hopefully that's a stepping-stone for him to take his game to a new level.

"So it's pretty much in his hands to start with. He's really enjoying his footy at the moment."

Martin, who hasn't missed a session this pre-season, has made significant gains with his fitness after a slow start and worked hard during Wednesday's session at the ME Bank Centre.

Key forward Jack Riewoldt and club champion Daniel Jackson were among those on light duties, while Reece Conca (hamstring) and forward Chris Knights (knee) continued to be managed.