Dusty and Fyfe willing and able for bushfire relief charity match

BROWNLOW medallists Nathan Fyfe and Dustin Martin could go head-to-head in the Bushfire Relief game after indicating they were eager to play in the charity clash.

Fyfe has declared himself fully recovered from a shoulder reconstruction and said he was determined to represent the All-Star side against Victoria on February 28.

Fyfe said that while he would consult with the club on his availability, he wanted to take on the best in the competition.

Martin’s manager, Ralph Carr, said yesterday that his Bendigo-raised client was keen to do “anything for the bushfires (cause)”.

The prospect of Martin and Patrick Dangerfield playing against fellow country boy Fyfe and WA onball star Tim Kelly would be worth the price of admission.

Fyfe won his second Brownlow Medal in September before he had a posterior shoulder reconstruction and started contract drills post-Christmas after 14 weeks of rehab.

The Fremantle captain would love to rove to Collingwood ruckman Brodie Grundy in that clash, believing it can help his development.

“I am fit and healthy and there is real value and merit as a player in playing against the best and playing with the best,” he said. “You learn and pick up so many things. And it’s for an amazing cause, so I want to be part of that if the opportunity presents.

“I have a few boxes to tick off physically and with the club to make sure they are OK with me playing.

“It is not only for the charity element, but it’s the only time you get to play representative footy with some of the best players in the country.

“I made lasting friendships that came out of the International Rules series, guys like Rory Sloane, Dayne Zorko and Travis Boak.

“Playing with Brodie Grundy would be a good one. And it would be nice to team up with Lachie Neale again.”

Martin is fully fit after a rampaging season in which he won a second Norm Smith Medal in a Tigers premiership.

Victorian coach Damien Hardwick is pestering him about playing in his side.

The AFL is determined not to steal the media attention from the AFLW after Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon complained that AFLX last year hijacked women’s footy.

It could announce the teams for the Friday night game only two days beforehand.