AFL teams Round 3Richmond may be forced into up to four changes to face Collingwood on Friday night with superstar Dustin Martin in doubt after failing to complete training.
Jay Clark
HeraldSun
March 29, 2023 - 1:31PMRichmond superstar Dustin Martin remains in considerable doubt to take on Collingwood in Friday night’s MCG blockbuster after failing to complete Wednesday’s main training session.
The champion ballwinner ran laps on his own in the rain due to a hamstring problem, while the rest of his teammates completed full-ground drills at Punt Rd.
He could be one of at least four changes for the Tigers with Jacob Hopper (knee) in a race against time and Jayden Short (calf) already ruled out. Nathan Broad was suspended for four matches for his dangerous tackle on Adelaide’s Patrick Parnell.
While the Tigers were hopeful Martin would be fit to take on the Magpies, it would be a massive gamble to play him off a short break so early in the season considering his repeat hamstring problems last year which restricted him to only nine games.
Geelong reaped the benefits of carefully managing their veteran stars last year, resting Patrick Dangerfield in particular, at times, to help him hit the finals in peak condition.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said in the preseason the Tigers may take a leaf out of Geelong’s book with its injury management this year.
“It’s a fine balance, understanding that we’d love to keep our best side on the park all the time but knowing you’ve got to get your best side on the park at the right time. To do that, it can look a little bit different,” Hardwick told the club’s website.
“Do Trent and Jack and our older established players have to play every game? Because, if they do, then our younger players will stifle in their development.
“That’s been a real conversation piece for us over the course of the summer.”
Martin, 31, had scans on his hamstring in Melbourne on Sunday after he was substituted out of Saturday’s win over Adelaide early with hamstring soreness.
Developing forward Noah Cumberland could replace Martin in the Richmond forward line as the Tigers attempt to upset the most in-form team in the competition on Friday night.
Richmond midfielder Hopper is also battling a knee complaint and is in major doubt, while Jayden Short has been ruled out with a recurring calf issue.
It means the Tigers could be forced to make three changes, while star goal kicker Tom Lynch also copped a corked leg and faced a light week on the track.
The injuries will test the Tigers’ depth considering Robbie Tarrant (hip), Josh Gibcus (hamstring) and Ivan Soldo (foot) are also sidelined with injuries.
https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-teams-round-3-ins-and-outs-supercoach-news-debutants/news-story/60d724cb6eda2fda1b555d55fff3a82d
