Dustin Martin

[Tigers of Old]

I think Dimma said we needed to take a step back to move forward at the start of last year. Last year was a mini rebuild with the introduction of a lot of kids throughout the season and towards the end of the year results didn't really matter. He said he had the best list he has had in his time in charge. Put his balls on the line and said he expected to play finals this year when all the football world had us finishing in the bottom half of the ladder.

Not that I think we will win the flag this year, but perhaps he isn't as stupid as many around here think he is.

The list has changed a fair bit since 'The best list he's ever had'.
Nankervis in particular has had a massive impact this year. Had the impact that Dimma could only dream of last season.

 

[Tony Braxton-Hicks]

To put Dusty's worth to us in perspective, which other Tiger midfielders in living memory would be as damaging as him? I'd say only Flea and Maurice, maybe KB (but I only saw him in his goalsneak years). I loved Knights too (but Dusty's a pure beast).

 

[Tiger Pops]

No one (midfielder) with due respect to M Rioli, Weightman, Raines, Knights and Campbell. Richo is about the only match winner we have had for 40 years, had delivery been more serviceable, even with his wayward kicking, he could have had another 200+ goals!

Unlike players like Lambert (Brisbane) Raines (everywhere else) and even Campbell was looking at Cartlon?? Dusty is comfortable at Richmond, the coaches, players and fans all love him. This next 5 years sets him (it should) for life so I don't begrudge him to get the best deal. As it stands he is Elite, in elite form, in leading brownlow scintillating form - he should get paid accordingly.

 

[Blind Turn]

To put Dusty's worth to us in perspective, which other Tiger midfielders in living memory would be as damaging as him? I'd say only Flea and Maurice, maybe KB (but I only saw him in his goalsneak years). I loved Knights too (but Dusty's a pure beast).

Raines was fairly damaging when he used to grab it from the centre and kick it 55m to a leading Roach.

 

[tigerlove]

Yep he actually runs towards the player, which is smart as its easier to tackle someone facing the other way.

I tried that on the weekend, it didn't work for me.

 

[Baloo]

*wrong thread*

 

[Harry]

I tried that on the weekend, it didn't work for me.

Did you put the arm up to fend off?

 

[OzStick]

Raines was fairly damaging when he used to grab it from the centre and kick it 55m to a leading Roach.

I agree, however the game has changed so drastically in the 30+ years between the two that you simply can't draw any real comparison. Having said that, Dusty might have struggled hitting up Roach with a 55m pass off his left foot......... 8-

 

[tigerlove]

Did you put the arm up to fend off?

Forgot about that but probably would have snapped.

 

[Broders]

Watson just said that he would take Kelly in front of dusty.
He must be on the same sh!t Jobe's on

Depends what you are looking for. If you are looking at the immediate future then Dusty is your man, if you're looking to build a side around a bloke, a bloke to captain your side for years to come, someone to front the media and speak at corporate sponsor nights etc. then Kelly is your man.

Whilst Kelly isn't the player Martin is, he is very good and getting better, younger and someone a club could promote as the face of the club.

On that basis I can see where Watson is coming from. There is only one thing for it, we need to recruit Kelly so we can have our cake and eat it too !

 

[craig]

I tried that on the weekend, it didn't work for me.

:hihi

 

[craig]

One of my exes had a great fend off too..... ................worked really well ....................................hence shes my ex .

 

[CarnTheTiges]

Depends what you are looking for. If you are looking at the immediate future then Dusty is your man, if you're looking to build a side around a bloke, a bloke to captain your side for years to come, someone to front the media and speak at corporate sponsor nights etc. then Kelly is your man.

Whilst Kelly isn't the player Martin is, he is very good and getting better, younger and someone a club could promote as the face of the club.

On that basis I can see where Watson is coming from. There is only one thing for it, we need to recruit Kelly so we can have our cake and eat it too !

Watson still thinks O'Meara is going to be one of the best the game has seen.

 

[Tigertough1974]

Watson still thinks O'Meara is going to be one of the best the game has seen.

Tell him his dreamin

 

[tigertime2]

You can only dont argue if you are in close, if you do it too far away you will snap your arm.

 

[keepa lids onit]

"The recently retired Swan revealed that Martin has been participating in extra training sessions to keep himself ahead of the rest of the league."

Fantastic to see some of our establish players really challenge themselves to achieve. JR also doing extra sessions too. This is what makes players excel.
Hopefully this might help drive a few more players.
A couple of weeks ago, good 'ol P Roos probably gave his only complement towards RFC I have heard in a long time by stating "They are playing sustained finals type of football. Great to watch" (words to that affect).

maybe it needed the crap and pathetic year we had last year for the big wake call needed in RFC.
Fingers crossed, this season is very tight.

I have a weird feeling we'll win the premiership this year. Truly do.

Also feel now Dusty will stay and we'll be paying around $1.2 to $1.3 mill a year for 5 yrs

I still don't buy it that this change and improvement is dimmas doing.
A major thing that sticks in my mind is how we had been the lowest tackling side for 3 years. Not a one off 1 year thing. It was a constant. And how he said we're not a tackling side, that's not our game style.
Now all of a sudden tackling is our no 1 priority.... and it's dimma who changed and all of a sudden n saw the light??? No way. I give the credit to the new asst coaches. As soon as we got this new bunch bang we changed completely. Dimma not fooling me on this one

 

[JR8]

I still don't buy it that this change and improvement is dimmas doing.
A major thing that sticks in my mind is how we had been the lowest tackling side for 3 years. Not a one off 1 year thing. It was a constant. And how he said we're not a tackling side, that's not our game style.
Now all of a sudden tackling is our no 1 priority.... and it's dimma who changed and all of a sudden n saw the light??? No way. I give the credit to the new asst coaches. As soon as we got this new bunch bang we changed completely. Dimma not fooling me on this one

Excellent post. Tend to agree.

 

[ARCHYBOY]

I still don't buy it that this change and improvement is dimmas doing.
A major thing that sticks in my mind is how we had been the lowest tackling side for 3 years. Not a one off 1 year thing. It was a constant. And how he said we're not a tackling side, that's not our game style.
Now all of a sudden tackling is our no 1 priority.... and it's dimma who changed and all of a sudden n saw the light??? No way. I give the credit to the new asst coaches. As soon as we got this new bunch bang we changed completely. Dimma not fooling me on this one

You might be 100% correct Keepa and let's assume you are.
You still have to give Dimma credit for acknowledging he may have been wrong in some way and embraced change, swallowed some pride and changed his thinking for the betterment of the club, there are plenty of coaches that wouldn't have.

 

[zippadeee]

I still don't buy it that this change and improvement is dimmas doing.
A major thing that sticks in my mind is how we had been the lowest tackling side for 3 years. Not a one off 1 year thing. It was a constant. And how he said we're not a tackling side, that's not our game style.
Now all of a sudden tackling is our no 1 priority.... and it's dimma who changed and all of a sudden n saw the light??? No way. I give the credit to the new asst coaches. As soon as we got this new bunch bang we changed completely. Dimma not fooling me on this one

It's the first time in my life we have had a coach that has been on the chopping block and has been able to survive and turn it around.
Why have assistants if your not willing to receive new ideas/information.
Doofus has come a long way this year. He could've Wallace/Frawley us

 

[Sintiger]

You might be 100% correct Keepa and let's assume you are.
You still have to give Dimma credit for acknowledging he may have been wrong in some way and embraced change, swallowed some pride and changed his thinking for the betterment of the club, there are plenty of coaches that wouldn't have.

Yeah. I recall the interview with chocco earlier this year where he heaped praise on Dimma for being willing to listen and change.
The whole footy department has changed and it certainly wouldn't work imo if the Head Coach was a blocker