Dustin Martin [merged]

[one-eyed]

WHO’S NEXT TO JOIN SILK IN THE 400 CLUB?

The most likely option would appear to be Dustin Martin (258). He’s been incredibly durable - he started two seasons later than Dangerfield (275; debuted in 2010) and he’s closed the gap to less than a season’s worth of matches.

Dusty hasn’t always been the type of player we associated with long-term dedication and intense passion for footy, but he has committed himself to the game in recent years and it’s paying off. He turned 30 last week: could he play until he’s 37?

The closest to the Tigers superstar who debuted as/after he did is Luke Breust (2011 debut after being drafted in 2008, 235 games) followed by Mitch Duncan (2009 draft, 233 games), which shows just how far ahead Dusty is.

Brandon Ellis (207) was the first man from the 2011 draft to reach 200 games, while Jack Macrae (174) and Marcus Bontempelli (160) lead the 2012 and 2013 drafts respectively; being part of successful teams certainly helps build your games total faster.

If we had to make a pick though, we’d go with Dusty.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2021-round-16-analysis-talking-points-reaction-top-stories-west-coast-problems-future-400-games-club-record/news-story/bc3ca3353c70c46ef7b3dd7c5e909fdd

[one-eyed]

https://twitter.com/7AFL/status/1411928327435145222

[Knighter]

Carey is not the brightest spark going around.

[Andyy]

Laughable.

Dusty won't make 400.

I'm not even sold on 350.

300 yes. Somewhere around 325+/- sounds about right.

He's not playing great. Age gets them all.

Even Burgoyne is finished. Should have hung them up last year at least.

[lamington]

Quality over quantity. This guy plays in the guts and at centre bounces. He won’t make it to 350. Should make 300 and it will be absolutely epic

[WilliamPowell]

Reckon they are basing 300 games on Dusty playing his last 3-5 years (after current contract ends) like Leigh Matthews did as a permanent forward.

Reckon that away he might be a show for 350- 400 games

[Rampsation]

Should make the move to Full Forward or Centre Half Forward.

[Fluffy Tiger]

Anybody else notice the Dusty seems to be taking the easy ways. In the foward line he seems to be running to take the position on the mark and pointing to others to cover the man he was minding. This could happen sometimes but it seams to be happening alot.

[Chuck17]

Anybody else notice the Dusty seems to be taking the easy ways. In the foward line he seems to be running to take the position on the mark and pointing to others to cover the man he was minding. This could happen sometimes but it seams to be happening alot.

He panicked with his disposal a couple of times too, something ive never seen

[georgies31]

Either his injured or complete out form been shadow of himself.

[pmac21]

I would rest him for the next 2 weeks. Looks cooked like the rest of them

[Andyy]

Playing far too much inside mid than what he should because we have no choice.

Really should be 80-20 forward-mid but it's gone the other way this year.

[one-eyed]

Neil Balme said superstar Dustin Martin is playing sore

Balme said Martin, 30, was dealing with a sore foot that was “bothering him a little bit”.

Hardwick referenced the issue after Martin had been concussed in the loss to Melbourne in round six.

The three-time Norm Smith medallist had a relatively modest 19 touches against the Magpies on Sunday - one of only two times he has not had at least 20 this season when completing a full game. But he had the last of his two 30 possession-plus performances against St Kilda in round five.

“He is coping reasonably well with that [foot]. He won’t want that to be used as an excuse but he still has his impact. We would probably like a little bit more but it might happen this week,” Balme said.

Source: The Age

[Tigeritis™©®]

Pull the pin. Put all the stars out to surgery or R&R ready for next season.

Should’ve done it after the WC game or at least the Stkilda game.

[georgies31]

100% no point rest him.