Dusty fit and firing and forwardPeter Ryan
The Age
20 January 2023Richmond champion Dustin Martin’s ‘don’t argue’ is firing as he prepares to launch into 2023 with a full pre-season under his belt.
During match simulation on Thursday he indicated he could spend more time in the forward line as he roamed the forward half of the ground, using his kicking skills to find targets inside 50.
With the Tigers landing Giants midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper during the trade period, Richmond will have greater flexibility in how they use Martin in the latter part of his career.
The three-time Norm Smith medallist played in last year’s elimination final despite being underdone as he returned from a hamstring injury he had suffered in round 16.
It came after he made a gradual return in 2022 following a serious kidney injury he suffered late in 2021. He spent most of the elimination final forward during the narrow loss to the Lions.
Premiership teammate Liam Baker said Dusty had impressed on the track so far this pre-season.
“Dustin is back, he is fit and he has got a full pre-season in, which is exciting for us,” Baker said. “He is fighting fit and pushing blokes around on the track, which we love to see.”
Baker said Martin had performed well in the club’s time-trials, which was a good sign that he was in top shape.
Martin turned 31 midway through last season, but he remains one of the game’s most dangerous and exciting players with his ability around goal likely to add a serious X-factor to Richmond’s forward line.
“Out on the track he is big and strong, and pushing people around, and we can’t wait to see it come game time,” Baker said.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/young-tiger-gun-to-have-surgery-on-hamstring-20230119-p5cdq9.html