Richmond captain Chris Newman says Dustin Martin ready to fire

RICHMOND captain Chris Newman says both the Tigers and Dustin Martin have learned from their untimely recent sleep-ins.

Chris Newman

RICHMOND captain Chris Newman says both the Tigers and Dustin Martin have learned from their untimely recent sleep-ins.

Richmond is still smarting from what has been labelled "the worst 47 seconds in footy'' after waking up after falling 36 points behind Gold Coast in the second quarter last weekend, then falling asleep late to concede two goals and lose by two points.

And star midfielder Martin is preparing to return to action with the Tigers against North Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday after his sleeping pill debacle which led to missing training and a two-match club suspension.

Newman says Martin is "fresh and fit'' after missing two matches, and importantly believes the 21-year-old has absorbed the lessons he needed to.

"In his own mind, he knows he's let himself down, and the team comes off the back of that,'' Newman said today.

"He's done everything right over the last couple of weeks. He has learned from it, I think.

"It's up to us to get around him, give him a cuddle and get behind him and make sure we play some good footy.

"He has been pretty disappointed to have been out of the side no doubt, and I think we have probably missed him these past couple of weeks.

Click HERE to see more pictures of Martin on the training track today

"He would be pretty keen to get back out there, he is not great in the stands watching the boys go around,'' he said.

The supportive captain has cast a watchful eye over the youngster, and has continued to act as a close mentor to get him back on track.

"You always sort of mentor a lot of the younger guys. I am fairly close to Dusty and we spend a lot of time together. You're always trying to steer them in the right direction and help them make the right decisions,'' Newman said.

"(Dustin) has done everything over the past couple of weeks and he has learnt from it. It is up to us get around him, give him a cuddle and get behind him and make sure he plays some good footy.''

The Richmond captain said Martin's response to the incident had been impressive.

"(Dustin) has definitely been trying to put his best foot forward.

"He gets up nice and early and has some brekkie. He has a nice routine now so hopefully he reaps the benefits.

"He is buzzing at the moment and training really well, so hopefully he comes back and makes an impact.

"I guess in his own mind he knows that he has let himself down most importantly, and the team.

"But he has done everything over the past couple of weeks and he has learnt from it. It is up to us get around him, give him a cuddle and get behind him and make sure he plays some good footy.''

Newman conceded the Tigers must beat in-form North on Sunday, or their finals hopes were done.


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He believed the less than satisfactory performance which handed previously winless Gold Coast victory last weekend in Cairns would spur an improved effort against the Kangaroos.

"It's very important (to bounce back). We were very disappointed with our efforts on the weekend,'' Newman said.

"I was shattered ... we had the game in our hands and let it go.

"It's disappointing to lose at this stage in the season, but it's not the end of this. We've got this week to bounce back.''

Martin and experienced Daniel Jackson, who had been serving a two-match AFL tribunal suspension, are likely to slot straight back into the Tigers side to play North.

The Kangaroos are coming off a 53-point win over Carlton last weekend and have won four of their past five games.