Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has downplayed injury concerns over superstar Dustin Martin and believes the Tigers will cause some “grief” if they make the AFL finals.
The Tigers of old returned on Friday, snapping a four-game losing streak to down Brisbane by 20 points in Jack Riewoldt’s 300th game.
After looking like a shell of their former glory in defeats to St Kilda, Gold Coast and Collingwood, Richmond’s system and spark was back.
But the win, which takes them to 8-9 and back inside the top eight, was soured slightly by Martin missing the final quarter.
The triple Norm Smith medallist came off second best in a big collision with Brisbane hard nut Mitch Robinson late in the third term, with Martin appearing to hurt his ribs.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
While extremely sore, Martin told Hardwick he would be fine to back up for their next encounter against Geelong.
“He got a kick into the stomach so we sent him to hospital for precautionary reasons,” Hardwick said.
“Obviously we’re flying home so we just want to make sure he’s available to fly – a big drive for Dusty otherwise – but we’ll see how we go.
“Straight away he said he’d been fine to play next week but we’ll just see what the doctor says and the scans show.”
Richmond will return Saturday buoyed by their performance against the Lions, who sit fourth and comfortably accounted for the Tigers earlier in the season.
The Tigers will likely need to win at least four of their remaining six games to be certain of playing finals.
“I think we’ve always had the confidence, we just haven’t played to the level that we’d like,” Hardwick said.
“Players (have been) coming in and out of the side so our consistency wasn’t there.
“We’re going to get the vast majority back now, we think, so we’re really excited about that and what it does look for us moving forward.
“Hopefully we make the finals but I reckon if we get there we’re going to cause some grief so we’ll back ourselves in and see how we go.”
Utility Kamdyn McIntosh (hamstring) was a casualty against the Lions, but premiership ruckman Toby Nankervis made a powerful return from injury.
Veteran midfielder Shane Edwards could be a chance to return against the Cats next Saturday.
Power
Guest
Was highlighting BT getting it wrong as usual, thought Dusty would take down Robbo is :laughing:
Clear as mud
Guest
What does that even mean? He ran hard to get first possession, his tagged on his back. He had a half fumble and was about to get a kick away when he saw Robbo coming in from the side and all he did was brace himself for the inevitable contact Watch the reverse shot and tell me it’s anyone’s fault
.kraM
Roar Rookie
Out for the year. Tigers can make finals but surely no chance to go threepeat without him.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
If the AFL want to take concussion seriously they should give medals to everyone who played a senior game that year or in the finals series if you want
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Why you’ve got two of them? Note: I am being facetious.
sven
Roar Rookie
yeah its something thats done better these days, was common for blokes to get knocked out or concussed & continue playing ......the injury sub is a good initiative from the AFL, the way its going u could see they may need more than one cause its not uncommon to lose multiple players during a game & it has such a big impact re rotations
nics
Roar Rookie
I get that but duty of care etc...
Power
Guest
Brian Taylor "BAAANNNG Got Robinson" :stoked: "Martins hurt" "Robinsons straight back up And Martins on all fours" :shocked: Dusty unfortunately did it to himself.
sven
Roar Rookie
in view of well he played & esp with his last minute heroics imagine you'd be pretty happy he did play nics
nics
Roar Rookie
Yeah I was abit iffy about McGovern playing the 2018 GF with internal bleeding. I get the whole 'courage' thing but at the same time it's not dissimilar to the concussion argument is it? Plus if the bloke had missed the flag (or do they win the flag without him?), he might have pulled out his finger a little more over the next 3 weasons. :laughing:
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Kidney injury for Dusty. You wouldn’t muck around with something serious like that. Tigers should put him on ice for 2022.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I think it’s a little early to say the tigers of old have returned. Win more than one in a row without the BHF carrying water for you. Full credit to Richmond they were the better side on the night but you know what they say about broken clocks?