Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo believes Dustin Martin and Richmond’s forward line can “stretch” the Collingwood defence on Friday night.
The Tigers and Magpies meet in a blockbuster Preliminary Final battle, with a health cloud suddenly being cast over Martin’s knee.
However, Dal Santo has backed Martin to be ready for Friday, saying he is a vital piece in Richmond’s front half.
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“Does it (Martin's injury) make any difference … do you trust Dusty, even if he needs a jab to get through with that knee, you back him in,” Dal Santo told SEN Afternoons.
“I already look at the game ahead and think, he probably has to play forward.
“I think we get caught up sometimes thinking Dusty is a midfielder that drifts forward. It’s the other way around.
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“Dusty is a forward that goes into the midfield and even when he plays in the midfield, he only runs one way anyway. He is only getting ready to go back into the forward line.
“I think they can stretch them in that part of the ground with Dusty going forward, and they obviously have Josh Caddy and Jack Riewoldt down there.”
Dal Santo also believes there is “nothing wrong” in sending Brayden Maynard to face Martin one-on-one.