Tigers hopeful but Martin in doubt for Pies clash

Shayne Hope | March 27, 2023

Richmond remain hopeful Dustin Martin will overcome his latest hamstring setback in time to play in the AFL clash with Collingwood, but have ruled out Jayden Short.

Dashing defender Short has been sidelined by a calf injury, while gun midfield recruit Jacob Hopper (knee) is also “doubtful” for Friday night’s MCG blockbuster.

Martin was substituted out of the Tigers’ away win over Adelaide on Saturday and had scans on return to Melbourne the following day.

On Monday, Richmond confirmed the 31-year-old had “hamstring awareness” and will have to prove his fitness at this week’s main training session.

Martin has a history of hamstring injuries, which played a significant role in limiting the three-time premiership hero to just nine games last season.

“We made the decision during the game to take Dustin off the ground, given his injury history and the six-day break,” Richmond physical performance manager Luke Meehan said.

“We’re just going to monitor how he recovers off the game and make a decision on Wednesday and see if he gets through training with regards to playing this week.”

Meehan revealed Short played the opening two rounds of the season under duress.

“We’re going to make a decision now to not play him this week and get him to do some strong rehab training on (the calf), and get himself right for the rest of the season,” Meehan said.

Hopper, recruited from GWS in the off-season, injured his knee in an “ugly” incident and is “pretty lucky”, according to Meehan, to still be in contention for the Collingwood clash.

Like Martin, he faces a fitness test on Wednesday.

Tom Lynch (corked leg) is clear to play but the Tigers’ injury-hit defence – already missing Robbie Tarrant (hip) and Josh Gibcus (hamstring) – will suffer another blow when Nathan Broad is suspended for his sling tackle on Adelaide’s Patrick Parnell.

Broad will front the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night and is facing a ban of at least three matches.

Meanwhile, Fremantle are hopeful Nat Fyfe could return in Sunday’s derby against West Coast.

Fyfe was a late withdrawal from the Dockers’ round-two loss to North Melbourne with a foot injury, after which coach Justin Longmuir said the superstar could miss a further two matches.

But the midfielder turned forward could return in a timely boost for winless Fremantle against their arch-rival.

“Nat’s dealing with some plantar fascia issues in his foot and has been on and off for a while now,” Dockers football boss Peter Bell said on Monday.

“We’ve treated that in the latter stages of last week and we’ll see how he progresses through training this week as to his availability to play in the derby.”

Veteran Fremantle goal-sneak Michael Walters is a chance to play increased minutes in the derby after kicking two majors as a substitute against North Melbourne.

Melbourne are confident All-Australian defender Steven May will return from a minor calf injury against Sydney on Sunday.