Kane Cornes has referred to a “warning sign” in triple premiership Tiger Dustin Martin’s match against Fremantle on Sunday. The Brownlow Medalist was used in a defensive role off the half back flank, which was a long cry from his days in midfield or even forward. Richmond lost by 54 points to the Dockers, with Martin recording 23 disposals and five marks.
Cornes is concerned that Richmond is wasting the aged veteran down back, leading his ball movement to become “ineffective” due to his backline location. “I thought he was ineffective,” Cornes told Nine’s Footy Classified on Monday night.
“He’s working hard and looking engaged. He’s demanding the football, but Dustin is getting the ball here (half back flank), looking for cheapies (handballs) around the back, which I don’t need to see, and spraying the ball.” “Dustin Martin’s performance was fascinating. “It was the first time I’d seen him come up the ground and look for cheap handballs in the back half, which we have not associated Dustin Martin with at all.”
“I thought it was a bit of a warning sign.” Cornes is encouraging Tigers coach Adem Yze to put Martin in the front line, where his former coach, Damien Hardwick, played him in 2023.
“I think the role he played last year, inside forward 50, getting kick ins (is the right one),” he remarked. “His damage has always been front of centre.” The Port Adelaide champion is now concerned that deploying Martin to run off halfback may become the norm for the struggling Tigers. “We’ve never seen that from Dustin Martin, getting disposals in the back half,” Cornes remarked.
“Keep him inside 50; he causes the most harm in the front half. That’s where he will be most valuable to the Tigers. “Give this (defensive) role to younger players.” Richmond is 17th on the list, with only one win, a five-point victory over Sydney. They face the Bulldogs on Saturday night.
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