Seventeen AFL clubs are faced with a scary prospect after Richmond completed their pre-season series – Dustin Martin and the reigning premiers can get even better.
The Brownlow Medal winner was at his bullocking best on Wednesday night, as the Tigers rode their vaunted manic pressure to a 19.14 (128) to 8.10 (58) win over North Melbourne at Ikon Park.
The impressive performance capped an ominous pre-season series for Damien Hardwick’s men, who belted Essendon by 87 points in their other warm-up match.
Five months after the Tigers thumped Adelaide in the grand final, Hardwick’s men have picked up where they left off, but their coach wants more.
“It’s been ok … there’s obviously areas where we’d like to improve,” Hardwick said of his side’s pre-season series.
“I thought our ball use inside 50 – I know we kicked a fair few goals tonight – but I thought it was still a little bit scratchy at various stages.
“But I thought our pressure in and around the contest was pretty good and got better towards the last quarter.
“We’ve got some areas of our game that we can certainly improve. I think the scoreboard indicates that we’re going ok, but we’re not going as well as we’d like.”
Martin, who played just over three quarters, finished with 22 possessions and was involved in several of his side’s goals, with Shane Edwards (23 touches) and Jayden Short (25) also important.
Kane Lambert (24 disposals) led the way up forward with four goals, rampant Richmond finishing with 12 goal kickers.
After his record-breaking 2017 season, the thought of Martin taking his game to a new level is enough keep opposition midfielders awake at night.
“There’s areas of his game where he’ll try to get better,” Hardwick said.
“Still one area that I haven’t seen is high marking.
“I’m not sure whether we ever are going to see that but I’ll put it on him this year.
“But he’s a really good player, he’s a quality player … and those guys you just enjoy watching – you wind him up and let him go.”
The Tigers will unfurl their premiership flag in round one when they host Carlton at the MCG on Thursday, March 22.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Flat track Swannies you never disappoint.
User
Roar Rookie
HtH- northey 88,sheedy in 91, blight 94, ayres 95, daniher 00,sheedy01, malthouse 03,matthews04, Williams 07, Thomson 08, Lyon 2010, Clarkson 12, come to mind aswell for bad gf coaching
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
Plus they had the Crows coach produce the worst performance by a coach in a grand final in football history. Only Simpson with the Eagles comes close.
Swannies
Guest
They beat the worst team in the competition and we're cruising most of the night but look good for a top 4 spot again. North will struggle to win more than 4 games this year.
Murphy
Guest
Who cares why it took 37 years, we are the premiers and can crow all we like.
Harsh Truth Harry
Roar Rookie
They'' be topf 4 but they wont win one again now for 37 more years. I love how their fans are crowing yet cannot answer why it took them 37 years to win another flag.