AFL legend Leigh Matthews says the Tigers will be in a tricky predicament at the selection table when it comes to their biggest name player.
Triple Norm Smith medallist Dustin Martin is pushing to return to the senior side for the first time since Round 16 as Richmond heads north to take on the Lions in an Elimination Final on Thursday night.
Speaking to Sportsday, the four-time premiership coach explained the decision the club’s coaching and fitness staff will soon face.
“Dustin Martin is the biggest selection dilemma; I mean he hasn’t played for a couple of months,” Matthews said.
“The people inside the football club make the judgements. What are the proven capabilities of that player, but more importantly, judge their readiness to play this week.”
The 31-year-old first injured his hamstring in the Tigers Round 16 win over the Eagles and has faced continued setbacks on his road to recovery, appearing in just eight games for the yellow and black this season.
Martin also stepped away from the game in March to mourn the loss of his father.
“Dustin Martin I find really interesting; I don’t know how much he’s been doing behind the scenes … his full training session seems to have happened today or yesterday,” Matthews said.
“We know how good Dustin Martin has been, but to try and judge his readiness to be that player or anywhere near that player this week I think is a gigantic dilemma for the Richmond selection group.”
Labelled by many as the greatest finals player of all time, Martin has averaged 22 disposals, four clearances and just under two goals a game across his 15 finals.