AFL 2022: Dustin Martin comeback virtually locked in as Tigers star continues to make progress

Richmond’s fitness manager has given the best indication yet when Dustin Martin will return after the Tigers champion ticked off several key areas since returning from his five-week hiatus.

Dustin Martin is certain to take on Collingwood next Saturday barring an unforeseen injury setback after another strong training session on Friday.

The Tigers will wait until he has completed another full week of training before officially declaring their hand but his impressive return to Punt Road Oval is in keeping with his astonishing durability across his career.

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Dustin Martin performed strongly in another training session on Friday. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Martin’s five weeks away from football saw him completing gym work, boxing sessions and some runs in a development that kept him in reasonable shape as he worked through his personal issues.

Richmond physical performance manager Peter Burge told the Herald Sun Martin had performed strongly in another training session on Friday with the club’s VFL squad.

The Tigers should be able to bring back all of Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Robbie Tarrant for the round 8 clash at the MCG.

“He (Martin) trained with us on Wednesday and it briefly came up (whether he would play against West Coast) and we said let’s not take him to Perth,” Burge said.

The Tigers champion kicks a goal in round 1 against Carlton. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“He trained on Friday in a big session with the other guys who have a VFL bye and then we can look at him again next week. He has got through pretty much everything as planned which has been great and we look forward to him training again next week. We will revisit it next week.

“We won’t declare if he is in or not but he is a very, very good player and as ‘Dimma’ (Damien Hardwick) put it yesterday, even if he is not 100 per cent fit as long as he is safe to play from an injury point of view (we will consider it).

“He did about 11km of work and all the varying intensities we throw at the guys with a football component and a fair conditioning element, too.”

Burge said the club was never surprised by Martin’s conditioning after 260 games in 12 completed seasons as well as round 1 this year.

“He is low maintenance, he is very good with recovery and his communication,” Burge said.

“We know how his body responds. He likes his boxing, he is more amenable to going for a run these days than 10 years ago and he’s been maintaining speed and strength markers in the gym.”