Dustin Martin keen to play full-forward for Victoria in State-of-Origin game
Richmond superstar Dustin Martin is ‘really keen’ to play in the bushfire relief match, and a teammate has revealed what position he wants to line up in for the Big V. See which other stars could play.
Geelong
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Richmond superstar Dustin Martin is eyeing a spot at full-forward to kick a “bag full of goals” in this month’s bushfire relief match, his teammate Jack Riewoldt has revealed.
Riewoldt said on Friday Martin was eager to be a part of the State-of-Origin clash between the Big V and the All-Stars on February 28 at Marvel Stadium.
Richmond’s premiership coach Damian Hardwick will coach the Victorian team.
“From my conversations that I have had with him, he is really keen to play,” Riewoldt said.
“I suppose it helps having ‘Dimma’ as coach. I think Dustin is pretty keen to play at full-forward and maybe try and kick a big bag of goals.
“I think the players are all jumping out of their skins to be a part of the game … it’s going to be a really important day on the Australian sporting calendar for so many reasons.”
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Riewoldt said he was keen to put his hand up to play, but was not sure if he would get picked.
“I would love to play. I have just got to get picked,” Riewoldt said.
“With three players from each team only being picked I am looking at it going ‘There is some pretty good players ahead of me that would get picked ahead of me’ I would have thought.”
Meanwhile, Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield says champion veteran Gary Ablett wants to play.
Ablett, 35, is preparing to play his final AFL season and will likely be rested in some regular season games to preserve his fitness for finals if the Cats make it.
But Dangerfield said the dual Brownlow medallist had already put up his hand to play for Victoria against the All-Stars on February 28, bolstering hopes the two sides will be near full strength.
“I know there’s a little bald man who sits in the pocket who is pretty keen to Don the ‘Big V’ (jumper) after missing out in 2008,” Dangerfield said.
“Tom Hawkins is one, not in the ‘Big V’ but he’s keen.
“I don’t think it will be hard to round up a few players.”
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Dusty versus Fyfe: Two Brownlow megastars declare their hand for Bushfire relief game
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However, Geelong captain Joel Selwood won’t play in the bushfire relief game as he recovers from a hamstring niggle.
Dangerfield said Selwood was expected to be fit for the start of the season.
Dangerfield was on hand at AFL headquarters to announce a new-five year AFLW sponsorship for supermarket giant Coles.
The red Coles logo will feature in the centre circle for all AFL and AFLW matches for 2020.