Martin looks to lift game in new season

CANTERBURY Bulldogs forward Rhyse Martin, pictured, is looking to take a more commanding role in this season after a solid if unspectacular debut season last year.
Martin said coach Dean Pay wanted him to be more assertive with the ball and to increase his impact on the game.
“Dean just wants me to take control whenever opportunities I get he just wants me to take control of them and get the ball in my hands and I’ve been working hard on that,” Martin said.
“Hopefully it shows.”
The 25-year-old Papua New Guinea representative said he was under no illusions as to his place in the team and would continue to work on refining his game and earning his spot.
“Training has been good. It’s pushing me, making me a better player and I guess it’s doing the same for the other guys,” Martin said.
“I think the new boys that have come in have really lifted the intensity. They obviously want to be here but they’re competing for a spot and when you’re a new face or a new bloke in a team you got to do that, it’s definitely bringing the level of training up.”
Martin said he was aware of the curse of second year syndrome after a debut season that saw the 101kg second-rower nail down a starting spot as well as become coach Pay’s first choice goal kicker returning a 94.7 per cent success rate (36 from 38 attempts).
“I think I just need to keep working on the little things in the game, things I lacked on last year and keep pushing to be a better player.
“I think if I’m doing my job well for the team, that’s all I can really do and if the good things happen on the back of it, then so be it.”
Martin credited the coaching of Steven Antonelli and Steve Georgalis for helping him become a more efficient player as well as to work on the areas he needed to improve.
“We’ve got Steve Antonelli, he’s our defensive coach so we work hard together after our sessions and Steve Georgalis, he’s the attacking coach and assistant coach this year and he’s always giving me tips on the short side, working it, and my lines to run,” Martin said.
Martin expects to maintain his spot in the starting line-up for the club’s opening season fixture against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday March 16 at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.
But the 14-game veteran added getting fulfilment out of his time in the NRL was also important.
“I just want to enjoy football. Hopefully we get some wins and have a good season but I just want to enjoy it and if we are winning games it’ll make it a lot better.” – NRL