Swans' tough AFL bid to tame Tiger Martin

Jun 13, 2017 - 7:14 AM He was largely responsible for putting the clamps on Western Bulldogs flyer Jason Johannisen, but young Sydney AFL midfielder George Hewett believes it will take a big collective effort to subdue Richmond superstar Dustin Martin.

Dashing half-back Johannisen ripped the Swans to shreds in last year's grand final, taking home the Norm Smith Medal.

It was a different story last Thursday night when Hewett, with some help from his teammates, restricted JJ to just nine touches and minimal impact.

"He's obviously hurt us in the past, last year especially," Hewett said.

"I guess it was just trying to take him out of the game as much as we can.

"We respect him as a player and that's why we probably did what we had to do."

Tigers dynamo Martin has been in magnificent form this year and is considered almost impossible to tag or nullify.

"We haven't spoken about that," said Hewett ahead of Saturday's clash at the MCG.

"But obviously, he thrives on the contested side of the game and we just need to be harder for longer.

"It's not going to be one bloke that's going to have to crack in - it's going to be all 18 of us."

Something of an unheralded workhorse and role player, the 21-year-old South Australian Hewett has played more games than any of the other six Swans blooded last year, including 2016 Rising Star winner Callum Mills.

Hewett has missed just two games since making his debut in round one of 2016, being dropped only once and ruled out with concussion for another match.

"I just try and go week by week and try and survive," a modest Hewett said.

He spent almost all of last season in the forward line, supplementing good defensive pressure with a handy haul of 18 goals.

However, he has bagged only three in the first half of this campaign.

"You always want to kick a few more goals, but I have been spending a bit more time in midfield this year," Hewett said.

"Probably the last game or two, I've spent a bit up forward so, hopefully in the near future, I can kick a few more."

Source: AAP