Get set for September DustyBy Josh Gabelich
afl.com.au
29 August 2022RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin is on track to return for Thursday night's elimination final against Brisbane at the Gabba after completing main training at Punt Road on Monday.
The 31-year-old hasn't played since straining his hamstring against West Coast in round 16 and has only managed eight appearances in 2022 – by far the lowest single season tally across his 13 seasons in the AFL.
After suffering a setback in his recovery from the hamstring strain, the Brownlow medallist has been targeting the first week of September for some time and looks set to play after increasing his training load during the pre-finals bye.
Martin completed a brief match simulation session at the Swinburne Centre on Monday afternoon and could be used in attack against the Lions in Queensland, given he has only played two games since the start of June.
Richmond has Tuesday off before the travelling party heads north on Wednesday morning ahead of a captain's run at the Gabba, before the team is named later that night.
"You guys usually find out before me, to be honest. He trained today and trained well, so it is up to him and the medical staff," Richmond star Nick Vlastuin said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
"He looked pretty good so he might be able to force his way back in.
"He is a pretty handy player, so assuming he is right, and he says yes, he'll be in."
Therabody AFL All-Australian half-forward Shai Bolton didn't train on Monday due to a family reason but the club is certain the 23-year-old will be available to face Chris Fagan's side.
Star forward Tom Lynch is also expected to play in the knockout final after recovering from the groin issue that forced him to be substituted out of Richmond's round 23 win over Essendon.
Noah Cumberland will be available on Thursday night after sending a scare through the Tigers camp last Thursday when he was helped off the track with a lower leg injury.
Cumberland trained on Monday along with Jack Graham, who is running out of time to prove his fitness after missing the final game of the home and away season due to a bone stress issue in his foot.
https://www.afl.com.au/news/832501/get-set-for-september-dusty-tigers-confident-of-gabba-win