Dusty’s off the frown, footy’s back in town

After 82 days in footy purgatory, the wait is over. Millions of footy-starved fans will be able to forget the C-word.

Richmond’s Dustin Martin trains at Punt Road Oval in Melbourne. Picture: Aaron Francis

Dustin Martin doesn’t wear a broad grin too often. But the Richmond superstar, along with the rest of the AFL world, has good reason to smile today.

After 82 long days and nights in footy purgatory, the wait is over. At 7.40pm (AEST), the umpire’s whistle will echo around a deserted MCG, and millions of footy-starved fans glued to the TV will — for two hours at least — be able to forget about the C-word that has unleashed untold misery over the past three months.

The AFL hierarchy has weathered plenty of criticism along the road to resumption, and the sport was notably beaten to the punch by the NRL, which restarted its competition in late May.

But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan was a relieved figure when he spoke to The Australian. Instead of talking about bubbles and hubs, he is now able to focus on the game itself, and the joy it brings.

“As a fan, I am just looking forward to watching some footy, to be honest with you. I am starting to get excited,” Mr McLachlan said.

“A lot of people are looking forward to the footy coming back … Whenever they are having a tough period, in various forms, I think footy is going to play a role in the community to be back and give a bit of hope as well.”

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury is among those grateful the game is back.

“It is slightly different, but we are really appreciative of the fact that we get to go out there and play,” he said.

“Football leagues have been cancelled … so there are a lot of people who wish they could be doing things they love and we are a small minority of guys at the moment who get that chance.

“(We’re) excited about that opportunity. (We’re) excited to get back on the G. Really excited to have a crack at Richmond, who have been a phenomenal side in the last three or four years.”

The marquee clash between Richmond and Collingwood may not be without some pre-game controversy.

Players from both sides plan to show their support for the Black Lives Matter campaign before the opening bounce.

The players could “take a knee”, gather in a circle, or stand in a line in a symbolic commitment to unity.

The player-driven initiative may still be officially sanctioned by the AFL and could yet be -undertaken by all teams ahead of the other matches this weekend.

The matter was being discussed at a chief executives’ hook-up with Mr McLachlan on Wednesday night. The other hot topic was the possible timing of the return of crowds at the various grounds.