Martin done and dusted with short stint
RICHMOND has dispelled fears Dustin Martin is under an injury cloud after the midfielder’s brief appearance at a training session at Punt Road.
Cameras from the AFL’s website captured Martin doing a run-through before disappearing into the rooms while his teammates continued a two-hour session that was closed to the media and public yesterday.
Tigers forward Daniel Rioli added to the intrigue when he reported Martin had suffered a corkie in the qualifying final win over Hawthorn as he went for scans on a jarred finger.
But Richmond football chief Neil Balme allayed fears either were in doubt for next week’s preliminary final.
“There’s nothing wrong with them,” Balme said.
“Dusty had a knock last week but it’s all right now. I don’t reckon anyone who played in that game didn’t get a knock of some description.
“We planned the training session and he did exactly what we expected him to.
“We have no doubt that he’ll be playing next week.”
Kane Lambert was also seen leaving the track early but was given the all-clear by Balme.
The searching session was the last hit-out for Damien Hardwick’s men before a short rest before their preliminary final clash against either Collingwood or GWS at the MCG on Friday night.
The Tigers are well placed in their bid for back-to-back premiership flags, with only forward Dan Butler struggling with injury (ankle).
“We’re really happy with the way all of them are going . . . we’re actually in a lucky place really,” Balme said.
“There’s probably only Dan Butler because he hasn’t played much and has still got that bit of an injury where there’s some doubt over whether he’d be available.”
The club also confirmed premiership veterans Shaun Grigg and Bachar Houli would play on next year.
The 30-year-olds have signed one-year deals, while defender Oleg Markov agreed to a two-year extension.