Richmond’s forward line could do some damage in 2023.
That is the opinion of both David King and Kane Cornes who liked what they saw from the Tigers’ attack in Thursday night’s draw with Carlton.
In particular, King was taken by Dustin Martin who appeared to again have the glint in his eye.
He was one of his side’s best with 23 disposals, eight inside 50s, six marks, five score involvements and the opening goal at the MCG.
King believes the Brownlow Medallist and three-time Norm Smith Medal winner has the hunger and competitiveness back after a tough 2022.
“The number one takeaway for me is the return of the red mist in Dustin Martin,” King said on SEN Breakfast.
“The competitor was back.
“He hasn’t had a big night by any stretch, he hasn’t separated the game with a five-goal performance or anything like that.
“He had 23 touches, eight inside 50s and a goal, but he was involved in everything that was positive in the forward half for Richmond.
“We haven’t seen him at his absolute best for 18 months. He’s missed a lot of footy, he’s had his own challenges with lots of things going on, but I was thrilled to see that competitor back last night.”
Cornes was also glowing in his appraisal of the 31-year-old who will be part of a “potent” Richmond forward line across the course of 2023.
He feels like the group of Martin, Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt, Shai Bolton and Maurice Rioli will cause opposition sides a lot of angst.
“No one is better, I don’t know what the numbers say, at the one on one contests, the ability to just nudge someone off the ball at ground level and get yourself into a position to win it,” Cornes said of Martin.
“Their forward line is going to cause teams a lot of headaches.
“Maurice Rioli, Tom Lynch when he becomes fully conditioned, Shai Bolton is going to kick eight goals one day, it’s just all going to click, then you’ve got Dustin Martin and Riewoldt will do what Riewoldt has done.
“That is a potent forward line.
“Damien Hardwick said after the game they lack polish and it was probably spot on. That was probably the difference really.
“There was 37 forward-half intercepts which is off the charts, 16 in the first quarter which was not done in a game last year. The difference in it was they couldn’t finish.
“There’s optimism to take out of it for Richmond.
“The forward line is going to cause absolute headaches and heartaches for a lot of opposition.”
Lynch finished the night with 3.3 from six marks (four contested) while Rioli booted two majors and Riewoldt and Bolton kicked a goal apiece.
The Tigers had 21 more inside 50s (66-45) than the Blues but were unable to convert, returning just 8.10.
Hardwick’s side is next in action against the Adelaide Crows at the Adelaide Oval next Saturday afternoon.