Hardwick tips top Dusty responserichmondfc.com.au
5 May 2017Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has refuted suggestions that star Tiger midfielder Dustin Martin’s form has tapered off slightly because he’s still nursing a groin injury.
Martin was in dominant form throughout the opening four rounds of the season, but hasn’t been quite as influential since it was revealed he had a minor groin complaint leading into the Round 5 Anzac Day Eve clash with Melbourne.
Hardwick, however, believes Martin is ready to rebound strongly in this Saturday night’s encounter with Western Bulldogs under the Etihad Stadium roof.
“That groin was probably a one-week thing,” Hardwick said.
“We’ve got incredibly high standards of Dustin . . .
“I think if we look at his game (v Adelaide last Sunday), if that was someone else, it’d still be a pretty good game,” Hardwick said.
“Was he as vibrant as he could have been? Probably not . . . off a six-day break (playing) interstate.
“His standards are so high and our level of expectation as a footy club and from a media perspective, are very high as well.
“He’s probably been a little bit off his best, but he’s still contributed, there’s no doubt about that . . .
“He prepares really well, and we’re really confident he’ll have a great game this week.”
http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2017-05-05/hardwick-tips-top-dusty-response
