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Tigers' Martin set for full AFL pre-season

3 minute read

Richmond AFL superstar Dustin Martin is on track for a normal pre-season as he continues his rehabilitation from a lacerated kidney.

DUSTIN MARTIN of the Tigers.
DUSTIN MARTIN of the Tigers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Richmond expect Dustin Martin to be able to complete a normal pre-season as the AFL superstar makes a slow and steady recovery from his season-ending kidney injury.

Martin spent nine days in a Gold Coast hospital after he suffered a lacerated kidney in a collision with the Brisbane Lions' Mitch Robinson in round 16.

The serious injury immediately ended his season with Richmond's hopes of a three-peat falling flat as they missed the finals for the first time since 2016.

But the Tigers are confident the 30-year-old's preparation for 2022 will be on track.

"Dusty's going really well," Richmond general manager of football performance Tim Livingstone told Sportsday.

"He's just slowly started training, which is a planned process for him.

"Look, he'll up the ante, but I know he's just slowly getting into it and we'll build up over the next month or so.

"We expect him to be fine to do a normal pre-season - as much as possible."

The unexpected early end to Richmond's 2021 campaign means their pre-season will start earlier than in recent years.

Livingstone expected that to benefit Martin's triple-premiership teammate Dion Prestia, who was plagued by soft-tissue injuries this season and played just nine games.

"Dion (is) one of those guys that wil benefit physically from a full pre-season going into next year," he said.

"We're fortunate enough to finish as late as we did (in premiership seasons) but (a longer pre-season) allows us to put some real time into guys like Dion who missed a fair chunk of footy this year."

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