Athlete in peak form for career, forward’s recuperation proceeding as planned
Ahead of the 2024 season, Dustin Martin is setting alarming personal records at the gym.
In his fifteenth preseason, Richmond star Dustin Martin is encouraging his teammates and breaking personal records in the gym.
The three-time Norm Smith medallist is keen to show new Richmond coach Adem Yze that he is still among the best players in the league.
Damien Hardwick was Martin’s coach from the middle of this year till his rookie season in 2010. Yze is just the second full-time coach in Martin’s history.
During Richmond’s training camp in Gippsland, Martin, who is about to reach the final year of his seven-season deal, took a hard hit but was eventually ruled out with a concussion.
Martin’s “unbelievable” comeback from the off-season vacation, according to Tigers defender Jayden Short, is a worrying indication for the remainder of the opposition.
“Everyone has to make an impression again when you have a new coach,” Short said on Tuesday at Punt Rd.
Our younger guys benefit from getting to impress a new coach, and we older boys do too.
“Dustin arrived in a very impressive manner.
“He’s about to enter his 15th year in the AFL, and he’s always getting better at running and hitting personal bests in the gym.
“Everyone at our football team looks up to him, and I consider myself fortunate to be able to play beside him and observe him go about his daily job.
“Watching one of the top players in the league constantly strive for improvement inspires us all to improve.
“It’s hard not to want to better yourself, he’s an awesome footballer, but an even better person so we’re very lucky.”
Tom Lynch, the important forward, is gradually returning to training. On Tuesday night, he participated in modified drills in front of the Punt Rd supporters.
Lynch hurt his foot in round four against the Western Bulldogs and was sidelined for the rest of the 2023 season.
“It’s been a long time for Tom and for anyone who has spent a long time in rehab it’s pretty painful,” Short stated.
However, his attitude has been unmatched the entire time.
