Dustin Martin finally retrieves car from MCG, Tigers begin premiership defence
Dustin Martin sent footy fans into fits of laughter after it was revealed he had left his car in the MCG car park following Tigers premiership triumph. Has he had a chance to retrieve it since returning from Vegas? TIGER TRAINING PICS
Richmond
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Richmond’s premiership defence has begun with the Tiger’s senior listed players returning to the track, and one question was on everyone’s lips: is Dustin Martin’s car still at the MCG?
Martin sent footy fans into a frenzy after it was revealed the superstar had left his car parked in the MCG carpark following the Tigers premiership triumph. And it was set to stay there a while longer with ‘Dusty’ already in Las Vegas on a trip with close mate Dane Swan when the hilarious news came to light.
Much to the relief of the MCG staff, skipper Trent Cotchin said the dual Norm Smith medallist had taken the time to retrieve his car from the carpark since he returned from the States.
“It’s not at the ‘G anymore, he did pick it up,” Cotchin said with a smile.
And he actually went to pick it up himself, so that was a surprise.”
As for returning star Alex Rance, it’s been difficult to hold him back from going full tilt, but the defender was looking trim at the Tigers first training session. Cotchin says he is “as fit as ever” and believes his off-field work will be invaluable for the Tigers as they hunt back-to-back flags.
“We always have to hold back Rancey,” he said.
“I know that some of the commentary around is that the draft’s been had and we get a new ‘draft pick’ next year in Alex Rance, which is amazing.”
His mountain of work that he did not only on the field, particularly with our VFL program last year is going to be amazing for us and his development this season.”
With the five-time All-Australian back in their defensive line-up the Tigers are favourites to take out their third premiership in four seasons. But the Tiger skipper knows it will take more than Rance for them to achieve the holy-grail in 2020.
“Every football club when they start pre-season their goal is to win a premiership. The reality is a lot needs to go your way, you need to perform at your best for a long period of time and you need a lot of luck.
“We’re still a long way from our first game so there’s plenty of work to be done.”
Damien Hardwick’s men have gone deep in September the past three seasons and the skipper says tasting premiership glory will be an extra motivator.
“You can look at it from two different aspects – it rests on your successes or you can be motivated by the experience that you had,” Cotchin said.
“I know that the group we have at this footy club is really hungry and we’ll do everything we can day in day out to grow and get better.”
Grand Final heartbreak story Jack Graham (shoulder), Toby Nankervis (groin) and Dylan Grimes (wrist) were among those on light duties at their first session back after all three underwent surgery in the off-season. Graham and Nankervis are expected to be back into full training after Christmas.
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It was also the first training session for Richmond’s new crop of draftees, with Thomson Dow, Brisbane academy pair Noah Cumberland and William Martyn, Hugo Ralphsmith and Bigoa Nyuon getting a feel for the Punt Road turf.
“We met the younger boys that have been drafted last week today, we’ll see what they all have in store for us,” Cotchin said.
“Apparently they are all good runners so that’s no benefit to me as it only puts me further back in the group.”
Originally published as Dustin Martin finally retrieves car from MCG, Tigers begin premiership defence