Dimma trusts Dusty to play in right spot

It’s what the great players do, he says

DUSTIN Martin has the backing of his coach to play on instinct in today’s Grand Final.

Hardwick said he knows his superstar will know what to do — and where to be when required. The Brownlow medallist has split his duties between the midfield and attack this season, with more time spent forward against GWS last week for a return of three goals and another two assists.

And Hardwick said that while he could assign him a job against the Crows, he trusts the 26-year-old to deliver no matter where he plays.

“I’d like to tell Dusty where he plays but he just plays wherever the hell he wants, to be perfectly honest,” Hardwick said. “He’s a great player to have as one of those pieces that you can move consistently to get a spike in performance.

“He’ll play through the midfield and he’ll also play up forward. What that split is, it depends [on] the way the game is tracking at certain stages.”

Hardwick said it is a trait he expects his leaders to have.

“If they think they can make a difference at any stage of the game by going to a certain position on the ground, that’s what they do,” he said.

“That’s what makes them great players. That’s why I’m very happy as a coach to back those guys in.”

Adelaide’s ability to transition the ball quickly from defence to offence has Hardwick “concerned”.

He said there are plans in place, but it is a key area that must be watched closely to ensure the Crows don’t win an edge.

“The way that they move, that quickly — the moving parts are interchangeable, in theory,” he said.

“That’s one of the areas we’ve got concern over and we’ll try and monitor as best we can. They’re going to get goals out the back at various stages — they’re a great offensive side.

“Our challenge is to negate that as best we can.”