Luke Dunstan credits sport psychologist Emma Murray with getting him back on track

ST KILDA midfielder Luke Dunstan has been working with the same psychologist that Dustin Martin credited with boosting his game to a new level, will pay dividends in 2018.

Luke Dunstan has spoken to a sports psychologist. Picture: George Salpigtidis

ST KILDA midfielder Luke Dunstan is confident that the work he has done with the same psychologist that Tigers superstar Dustin Martin credited with boosting his game to a new level will pay dividends in 2018.

Dunstan, 22, was dropped three times this season — admitting his body language wasn’t the same as he dealt with being omitted for the first time in his career — and said that his work with Emma Murray was pivotal to his return to the Saints’ senior side.

“I went through a challenging period halfway through last season,” he said.

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“To find out a few things about myself as a person and a footballer really helped towards the back end of the year.

“Doing some work with the sports psych (Murray) was massive for me and I was just pleased I was able to turn things around, and prove to myself I can play at the level and play at a good level.

“It does give me good confidence going forward.

Luke Dunstan in action for St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein

Dustin Martin in action for Richmond. Picture: Michael Klein

“Emma ... had a pretty big influence on that. Going back and playing VFL, I was able to go back and play on instincts again and just rediscover how to play how I grew up playing and what initially got me drafted.”

Dunstan — who is on track to have his first full pre-season — has already been reaching personal bests this preparation.

“Since I got to the club, I’ve been solely focused on my running and I’ve come back and run PBs already this year, which is pleasing,” he said.

“Now that my body’s been really good for an extended period of time, I feel like I’m ready to have more of an influence on the track (with leadership).”