Fears over Dustin Martin’s knee injury ramp up after Richmond training
RICHMOND insists superstar midfielder Dustin Martin will play against Collingwood on Friday night, despite failing to train since the qualifying final win over Hawthorn.
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RICHMOND insists superstar Dustin Martin will play against Collingwood on Friday night, despite failing to train since the win over Hawthorn.
Martin is battling a corked thigh suffered in the qualifying final 12 days ago.
The Brownlow Medallist missed a second Punt Rd training session on Monday amid claims he had suffered a “significant knee injury”.
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But Tigers football boss Neil Balme declared Martin would have to be “kidnapped” to miss.
“He’ll be fine - we’ve got no doubt that he’ll be fine,” Balme told the Herald Sun.
“He was just a bit sore after last week’s game and has been lucky enough to have a couple of weeks to get himself right.
“I don’t reckon a corkie is going to stop him from playing.”
Asked about reports Martin had suffered a knee injury, Balme said: “If he has, no-one has told me that - or Dusty”.
Pressed on whether he would take part in Tuesday’s main training session, Balme said: “I don’t think it matters whether he does or he doesn’t - he’s doing a lot of recovery stuff.”
Balme said premiership small forward Dan Butler (ankle) was “a chance” to force his way into the team, despite not playing since Round 16.
Defender Nathan Broad also ran laps but is expected to be fit.
Herald Sun columnist David King suggested Martin’s injury was far worse than the Tigers were letting on.
“I had someone call me on the weekend and just sort of said there’s more to the Dusty story than we’re being told,” King told SEN.
“I think he’s got a significant knee issue. Now, whether the issue is a management issue, everyone’s got something at this stage, but their fab four (Martin, Cotchin, Rance and Riewoldt) has been pretty much unimpeded the last two to three years really.
“They haven’t missed games of football. You’ve got to keep an eye on this one. It’s a real story.”
Defender Dylan Grimes said there was absolutely no concern inside Tigerland.
“I think he’s fine to be honest, it was a bit a storm in a teacup,” he said.
“He did exactly what he planned on doing and same Daniel Rioli as well, I think they’re both absolutely fine so no issues whatsoever.”
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley pondered on Saturday night whether Richmond’s 15-day break compared to the Magpies’ six might disadvantage the reigning premiers.
“They might be a bit dusty,” Buckley said.
“Too long without playing. Who knows?”
Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury also got in on the mind games, saying: “I don’t mind the fact that we’re playing again so quickly - I love playing footy and I don’t like having two games a month. I like it and we’ll be ready to go. “
But Balme said: “I reckon the question would be - would you rather have six days or 15 days break at this stage of the year? And I reckon you’d probably pick 15.
“It’s going to be a fantastic game.”
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