Richmond young gun Dustin Martin is using dual Jack Dyer Medallist Brett Deledio as his training role model during this pre-season period.

Martin, who finished third in the 2011 Jack Dyer Medal, behind runner-up Deledio and winner Trent Cotchin, has returned to pre-season training in tip-top condition - significantly fitter than this time last year.

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He matched it with Deledio in the Tigers’ Tan time trial late last week, and is looking forward to keeping pace with his self-appointed mentor as he prepares for his third season of AFL football.

“It’s a lot better running around the Tan getting a half-decent time than running last,” Martin said.

“I didn’t see him (Deledio) last year when we ran the Tan the first time . . . and this time I ran with him.

“I’ve told him I’m going to try to run with him most sessions.”

Hard work was the simple explanation behind Martin’s pre-season fitness turnaround . . .

“I just ticked all the boxes.  I didn’t do anything extra, maybe a couple more boxing sessions, but I just did what the Club gave me as a program,” he said.

The 20-year-old, who captured the imagination of the football world at times throughout the 2011 season, due to his powerhouse style of play, is uncomfortable with comparisons to league champions of the past, such as Leigh Matthews and Darren Millane.

“I just listen to the coaches . . . I don’t want to be known as a big head,” he told Herald-Sun football writer Mark Robinson.

“I’ve got miles ahead of me just to be half (as good) a player as Leigh Matthews was . . .

“I don’t worry about the individualism, it’s all about the team, it’s all about the Richmond Football Club . . .

“Around here, we’re not really about individuals, we’re about all of us playing our roles.  Twenty two players who play their roles, do what is expected, is a lot better than having two or three standout players.”blog comments powered by Disqus