AFL 2024: Dustin Martin thrills in Richmond intra-club as young Tiger Steely Green catches the eye

Adem Yze will need to fast-track a dozen kids to have Richmond contending again in the coming years – and Tiger fans got a glimpse of who they might be on Wednesday night.

Dustin Martin at Richmond AFL training. Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Picture: David Crosling

Adem Yze watched on in awe from the Punt Road stands as Dustin Martin warmed up for season 15 with another dominant intra-club contest on Wednesday night.

The club’s megastar midfielder did as he pleased across 30 minutes of action before running laps to prove his minor ankle issue is no impediment to his round zero participation.

While Martin sailed through his scheduled match time Dion Prestia only lasted a few minutes of the contest with what the club later called hamstring awareness. Prestia has had a diabolical run with soft tissue injuries including hamstrings so while the club is hopeful the issue is minor the 31-year-old will have scans.

Watching on from the club’s balcony was another interested onlooker in manager Ralph Carr, who if all goes to plan will have locked away Martin on a new deal by then.

Playing in the stronger yellow side that contained Shai Bolton and key position players Noah Balta, Jacob Koschitzke, Josh Gibcus and Tylar Young, Martin took a few minutes to shake off his ring rust.

But quickly he was barking instructions, setting up teammates with precise disposal and generally looking every bit the triple Norm Smith Medallist he is.

Dustin Martin showed some impressive signs. Picture Richmond FC

Martin has dropped four kilograms and looks in superb shape – all perfect leverage for Carr.

Under new coach Yze, Richmond’s new-look side missing premiership stars Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt will need to fast-track a dozen kids to again contend in coming seasons.

On Wednesday, Thomson Dow was excellent as a young emerging midfielder while Steely Green kicked at least three goals as a livewire in the “possibles” team.

It will also fall to Martin, Tom Lynch and the club’s core of 25-30 year olds to bridge the gap given the growing pains likely to come in 2024.

Martin will continue his progression towards zero round against the Gold Coast side he might have joined but his fitness is one less concern for Yze.

THE FRONT SIX

Richmond plans to play a fast brand of attacking football which is “suffocating” in defence, according to defender Hugo Ralphsmith on Wednesday.

And the personnel in the front six is taking shape even if Richmond isn’t yet sure when Tom Lynch, absent on Wednesday, will be ready for senior action.

Noah Balta will play forward alongside Jacob Koschitzke with Liam Baker, Jack Graham, Shai Bolton and Martin playing mid-forward.

Rhyan Mansell will play as the pressure forward and while he won the ball at will he squandered too many chances in the “probables” forward line.

Liam Baker will play up forward this season. Picture: Richmond FC

Balta had a brief injury scare then returned to the field from a hip knock but he and Koschitzke were quietish and Richmond’s system bringing the ball forward still needs refinement.

Clearly so much still depends on Lynch as the key target in a year where Martin and Shai Bolton, who scrounged a pair of late goals, will hope to combine for 80 majors.

Football boss Tim Livingstone said the club was “thrilled” with Lynch’s progress from dual foot surgery but no one is prepared to declare him ready for round zero yet.

Yze was a spectacular kick so will hope for better delivery into the forward line on a day where plenty of kicks still hit the ground.

ON THE INJURY FRONT

Josh Gibcus has made a strong return from his hamstring issues and got through another contest, with Jack Ross (toe) and Shai Bolton (ankle) also putting in strong minutes after summer niggles.

But Lynch’s return date is up in the air, with Dylan Grimes battling a calf issue and Nick Vlastuin still in concussion protocols.

Nathan Broad was sick and missed the encounter, and with intercept beast Balta to play forward the defence needs Gibcus to stand tall to play on the forward beasts.

Josh Gibcus will play a key role this season. Picture: Richmond FC

Gibcus will be better for the run as he eased back into action.

Richmond has one list spot open for summer rookies and playing in the “possibles” forward line New Zealand-born Mykelti Lefau took a pair of eye-catching contested marks.

Once part of the Melbourne Storm development squad, Lefau did his chances of senior elevation no harm with WAFL mid-forward Mitch Schofield the other contender.

The club’s No. 40 draft pick Kane McAuliffe might not be a round 1 smoky given the strong midfield but dominated the club’s first two intra-clubs as a strong midfielder in recent weeks so is one to watch.

Originally published as AFL 2024: Dustin Martin thrills in Richmond intra-club as young Tiger Steely Green catches the eye