Sorry One-eyed, I no longer have a subscription to the Herald Sun, although I did see this on a facebook post so it probably came from that article. (No source listed on the post)
Dustin Martin forward move confirmed
Dustin Martin’s new role has been confirmed as two trialists, including one labelled the ‘new KB’, pushed their case for a late call-up to Richmond’s list.
Two of the AFL’s most watchable players will team up in the same forward line this year in what shapes as a mouth-watering attacking combination.
After managing just nine games last season due to injury and personal reasons, Dustin Martin is fit and firing in a new role as a more permanent forward.
There the Brownlow medallist will work alongside Shai Bolton, who had a breakout 2022 campaign which saw him kick 43 goals.
The Tigers believe Bolton could have an even greater goalkicking return this year if he can tidy up his accuracy, which came in at just 44.3 per cent last season.
Martin took Bolton “under his wing” when he first arrived at Punt Rd and the two clearly have a strong connection, which was on show during match simulation at training on Thursday.
The duo both had a hand in multiple scoring chains, including when Martin found Bolton lace-out with a lovely kick inside 50.
Bolton was also showing a hunger for pressure and tackling, which was one area of his game that was not a strong suit last year.
EASING BACK
A host of Tigers stars are looking to time their run to Round 1 as they remain on the outer when it comes to main training.
Key forward Tom Lynch (foot), defender Josh Gibcus (hamstring) and midfielder Jack Graham (toe) were all running laps and completing some interval training throughout Thursday’s session as they nurse their way back from off-season issues.
Gibcus will miss the opening rounds of the season, but Richmond is confident that Lynch and Graham will be at full fitness in time for the club’s season-opener against Carlton on March 16.
Other senior players who are on modified programs and sat out match simulation include co-captains Dylan Grimes and Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia and Jacob Hopper.
FORWARD? COTCHA
Don’t get too sucked into the idea of former captain Trent Cotchin playing exclusively as a forward this season just yet.
While the 32-year-old has trained in attack at times over summer, Cotchin was back in the thick of it as a midfielder during match simulation on Thursday.
He started at the centre bounce against recruit Tim Taranto and didn’t venture forward too much.
Teammate Jack Riewoldt said this week that he has been calling his former skipper “Trent Coleman” – after AFL goalkicking legend John Coleman – following some of his recent performances training with the forwards.
But after finishing as Richmond’s second-highest clearance player last year, expect Cotchin to still be attending a fair chunk of centre bounces this year.
RAMP UP THE PRESSURE
There’s no doubt Richmond is on a mission to bring back the pressure after it dropped off last year.
The Tigers spent significant time doing drills where they were pressuring the ball carrier at training on Thursday, getting right up in the faces of opponents who were trying to dispose of the ball by hand.
While the club returned to finals last season, it ranked a lowly 15th for pressure applied.
Sydney and Collingwood were the two top-ranked teams for the statistic.
DEADLINE LOOMING
There has still been no decision made on filling Richmond’s final list spot as the closure of the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period looms.
Former Geelong midfielder-forward Quinton Narkle and Corowa-Rutherglen forward Kaelan Bradtke were both on the training track again on Thursday.
Bradtke lined up at full-forward at one end during match simulation and competed well, while Narkle was running through the midfield and forward line at the other end.
Narkle nailed a nice goal from long range late in the hit out which wouldn’t have hurt his chances of winning a spot, while Bradtke is being called “KB” by teammates.
Richmond list manager Blair Hartley was keeping a close eye on proceedings from the grandstand, with just days remaining until the signing window closes on February 15.
