Richmond superstar Dustin Martin has trained away from the main group amid growing intrigue about his fitness for Friday night’s AFL preliminary final against Collingwood.
Martin, who suffered a cork during the Tigers’ qualifying final win over Hawthorn, took part in stationary kicking drills before Monday morning’s session was closed to media and was later spotted jogging laps with backman Nathan Broad.
It comes after Martin left the training track early last Friday, failing to take part in an hour-long match simulation session.
Tigers defender Dylan Grimes played down concerns about the reigning Brownlow Medallist.
“I think he’s fine to be honest,” Grimes said before Monday’s training session.
“It was a bit of a storm in a tea cup. He did exactly what he’d planned on doing.
“The same with Dan Rioli as well.
“They’re both absolutely flying so no issues whatsoever.”
Small forward Rioli was sent for scans on Friday after jarring his finger and midfielder Kane Lambert also left the track early but both trained with the main group on Monday.
Richmond football chief Neil Balme last week allayed fears about Martin, who has missed just three games during his nine-season career to injury.
“Dusty had a knock last week but it’s all right now,” he said.
“We have no doubt that he’ll be playing next week … there’s really nothing to report.”
Martin had 19 disposals and kicked three goals during the Tigers’ 28-point victory over Collingwood in round 19 despite a hard tag from Levi Greenwood.



