Dusty versus Fyfe: Two Brownlow megastars declare their hand for Bushfire relief game
Two of games biggest names have declared their hand for the hotly anticipated Bushfire relief game. But it may be up to one club to give a Brownlow medallist the tick of approval.
Richmond
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Brownlow medallists Nathan Fyfe and Dustin Martin could go head-to-head in the Bushfire Relief game after both stars indicated they are eager to play in the charity clash.
Fyfe has declared himself fully recovered from a shoulder reconstruction and said he was determined to represent the All-Star side against Victoria on Friday, February 28.
Fyfe told the Herald Sun that while he would consult with the club’s hierarchy on his availability, he wanted to take on the best in the competition.
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And Martin’s manager, Ralph Carr, said yesterday that his Bendigo-raised client was keen to do “anything for the bushfires (cause)”.
The prospect of Martin and Patrick Dangerfield playing against fellow country boy Fyfe and WA onball star Tim Kelly in the contest would be worth the price of admission.
Fyfe won his second Brownlow Medal in September then had a posterior shoulder reconstruction and begun contract drills post-Christmas after a 14-week rehab.
The Fremantle captain would love to rove to Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy in that clash, believing it can only help his development as a player.
“I am fit and healthy and think there is real value and merit as a player in playing against the best. And playing with the best. You learn and pick up so many things and it’s for an amazing cause so if I want to be part of that if the opportunity presents,” he said.
“I have a few boxes to tick off physically and with the club to make sure they are OK with me playing but if so it’s too good an opportunity not to pass up.
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“It is not only for the charity element but it’s the only time you get to play representative footy with some of the best players in the country. I made some lasting friendships that came out of the International Rules series, guys like Rory Sloane, Dayne Zorko and Travis Boak. Playing with Brodie Grundy would be a good one. Boak, Zorko and Sloane again would be a bit of fun and it would be nice to team up with Lachie Neale again.“
Martin is fully fit after another rampaging season that saw him win a second Norm Smith Medal in a Richmond premiership season.
Victorian coach Damien Hardwick is already pestering him about playing in his side.
The AFL is determined not to take away from the media attention placed upon the upcoming AFLW season after Dogs president Peter Gordon complained AFLX last year hijacked women’s footy.
It could announce the teams for the Friday night game only two days beforehand, aware it does not want to pick teams early before a spate of withdrawals which would sap momentum from the clash.
Originally published as Dusty versus Fyfe: Two Brownlow megastars declare their hand for Bushfire relief game