Dustin Martin revelation that will excite Richmond fans ahead of 2024 AFL season

Richmond legend Dustin Martin is setting personal records in the gym ahead of his 15th season in the AFL. The three-time Norm Smith medalist is working hard to prove to new Richmond coach Adem Yze that he is still one of the best in the game and is said to be setting the tone for the rest of the side.

Yze is only the second full-time coach Martin has played under in the AFL after working with Damien Hardwick since his debut in 2010 until the middle of this season when he abruptly left the Tigers saying he had done all he could at the club and needed a break. Martin enters the final year of his seven-season contract this year and Tigers defender Jayden Short says he has returned from the off-season break in "unbelievable" shape.

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"When you get a new coach, everyone's got to impress again," Short said at Punt Rd on Tuesday. "It's been good for our young boys, they get to impress a new coach and certainly us older boys as well. The way Dustin showed up was amazing.

"He's coming into his 15th year of AFL and he's setting PBs (personal records) in the gym and his running's certainly always improving as well. He's a great role model for everyone at this football club and I'm just lucky that I get to play alongside him and get to watch him go about his business every day.

"It makes us all want to get better when you see one of the best players in the competition always trying to get better. 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's AFL return receives huge boost

Tigers key forward Tom Lynch has returned to training as he gears up for the season ahead. Lynch missed most of the 2023 season after injuring his foot against the Western Bulldogs in round four and his return date remains unclear.

In front of a large crowd of fans at Punt Rd on Tuesday night, Lynch was seen back running and taking part in modified drills in a promising development for Tigers fans. "It's been a long time for Tom and for anyone who has spent a long time in rehab it's pretty painful,” Short said. "But his attitude throughout the whole time has been second to none.

"Just rocking up every day with a smile, he's been amazing. It's good to see him back running and I'm looking forward to being able to kick it to him again."

with AAP

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