It wasn’t a totally convincing training run, but Richmond superstar Dustin Martin did enough on Thursday to back up coach Damien Hardwick’s confidence that he will play on Friday night.
While Martin was able to run a lap with the main group and join in training drills and some kick-to-kick, he did seem to be a bit proppy and ginger at Punt Road Oval ahead of the blockbuster preliminary final against Collingwood at the MCG.
Dustin Martin has been low-key at training this week.
Photo: Joe ArmaoThe Brownlow medallist, who has been battling a bad corkie which bled into his knee and almost required surgery, trained within himself, taking short steps as he ran and didn’t explode into full speed as often as his teammates did.
After 30 minutes, which also involved some one-on-one contests with captain Trent Cotchin, Martin left the track but not before signing a stack of autographs and posing for numerous photos with Richmond fans, of which about 2000 were in attendance.
Premiership teammate Shane Edwards said there was no doubt about Martin taking on the Magpies.
“He’s all right, he just had a corkie, he trained fine today so he’s raring to go,” Edwards said after training.
Edwards doubted whether Martin was even aware of the media storm his corkie has created in the past week or so.
“I don’t know if he actually even knows what’s going on so he’ll be going out there with a fresh mind and he’ll be ready to go,” he said.
Edwards didn’t anticipate Martin would require any extra protection from his teammates on Friday night given his injury concern is now out in the open.
“He’s a big boy, he’ll just go out same as usual,” he said.
Alex Rance (foot), Jack Riewoldt (foot), Daniel Rioli (finger) and Dan Butler (ankle) , who hasn’t played since round 16, also took part in training and will be available for selection.
Ronny Lerner is a Sports reporter for The Age.