Martin starred in his first season for the Tigers, with many experts claiming he would have won the NAB AFL Rising Star had he not been ruled ineligible after being reported early in the season.
After taking all before him in his debut year, the 19-year-old reportedly returned to pre-season training a little sluggish and out of shape after a seemingly enjoyable Christmas.
A quick chat with teammate Brett Deledio, however, soon had him back on track.
"I think it was more naivety, really, about what the expectations were, how you’ve got to come back," Deledio told afl.com.au.
"It was his first full pre-season. I had him over for dinner the night after our first Tan (run) and said ‘look, I had the same sort of problem when I went through this.’ He understood it all, put his head down and got himself back into shape."
Deledio, like Martin, began AFL life carrying the long-term hopes of Richmond supporters on his shoulders. The former no. 1 draft pick won the AFL Rising Star award in his first season but took time to take his career to the next level.
But he says Martin has already shown signs that he will improve in 2011 after a solid showing in a recent scratch match.
"He plays the same way every time. He wants as much of the footy as he can and he went well. He’s got a bit of a rank ponytail on the back of his head at the moment. He’s fine, he’s going really well."
As for himself, Deledio said he would hope to continue in the role off half-back that he assumed in 2010. But, he says, he is still open to the idea of being used around the ground.
"Yeah, similar I’d say," Deledio said when asked where he thought he would play this season.
"That’s where I’ve been training over the pre-season. I suppose I’ll push up the midfield and up to the forward line at times.
"I’ve tended to play across the whole ground so far so I can’t see why that will change but mostly I think I’ll settle in across half-back."
