In today’s AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of football news
- Dustin Martin has had a full pre-season and could be a serious weapon inside 50
- Josh Gibcus will miss the start of the season as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
- Ben Cunnington says spirits are high at North Melbourne under new coach Alastair Clarkson.
Dusty fit and firing and forward
Peter Ryan
Richmond champion Dustin Martin’s ‘don’t argue’ is firing as he prepares to launch into 2023 with a full pre-season under his belt.
During match simulation on Thursday he indicated he could spend more time in the forward line as he roamed the forward half of the ground, using his kicking skills to find targets inside 50.
With the Tigers landing Giants midfielders Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper during the trade period, Richmond will have greater flexibility in how they use Martin in the latter part of his career.
The three-time Norm Smith medallist played in last year’s elimination final despite being underdone as he returned from a hamstring injury he had suffered in round 16.
Dustin Martin was not as his best in last season’s elimination final, having battled a hamstring issue for months.Credit:AFL Photos
It came after he made a gradual return in 2022 following a serious kidney injury he suffered late in 2021. He spent most of the elimination final forward during the narrow loss to the Lions.
Premiership teammate Liam Baker said Dusty had impressed on the track so far this pre-season.
“Dustin is back, he is fit and he has got a full pre-season in, which is exciting for us,” Baker said. “He is fighting fit and pushing blokes around on the track, which we love to see.”
Baker said Martin had performed well in the club’s time-trials, which was a good sign that he was in top shape.
Martin turned 31 midway through last season, but he remains one of the game’s most dangerous and exciting players with his ability around goal likely to add a serious X-factor to Richmond’s forward line.
“Out on the track he is big and strong, and pushing people around, and we can’t wait to see it come game time,” Baker said.
Hamstring surgery for Gibcus
Peter Ryan
Richmond defender Josh Gibcus will have surgery on his hamstring after injuring it at training on Monday. He will not be available for at least the first few rounds in 2023.
The 19-year-old damaged his right upper hamstring tendon in the session and after consulting specialists the club decided an operation was necessary.
Gibcus had an excellent first season in defence for the Tigers, playing 18 games including the elimination final against Brisbane after being selected at No.9 in the 2021 national draft.
Josh Gibcus looks set for more responsibility in 2023.Credit:Getty Images
It may force the Tigers to play Noah Balta exclusively in defence at the start of the season as they look to make a solid start with matches against Carlton, Adelaide, Collingwood and the Bulldogs in the first month.
Key forward Tom Lynch has also been on a modified program as he recovers from surgery before Christmas to repair a lingering plantar fasciitis issue. However, the Tigers are confident he is progressing well.
Premiership defender Nick Vlastuin is also engaged in non-contact training as he recovers from a crack in the ribs.
Tyler Brown has joined the Crows.Credit:AFL Photos
Elsewhere, former Collingwood father-son selection Tyler Brown has officially joined the Crows after being added to Adelaide’s list.
The son of Magpie champion Gavin Brown, who is an assistant coach at North Melbourne, brother of Callum and sister of Magpies AFLW player Tarni, played 27 matches with the Magpies before being delisted at the end of last season.
Brown was pick 50 at the 2017 national draft but showed glimpses of his talent as an inside mid at the Magpies. He was an emergency during this year’s finals series for Collingwood and will add to the Crows’ midfield depth.
The position on Adelaide’s list became available when Fischer McAsey officially retired and Brown was added via the pre-season supplementary selection process which closes on February 15.
Crows list manager Justin Reid said they were rapt to sign Brown.
“Tyler brings experience from five years in the AFL system and knows what it takes to play at the highest level, so we are thrilled to add him to our group,” Reid said.
“He is primarily a midfielder but can also play a variety of roles across the ground which we are excited about.”
Roos off to a good start under Clarkson, says Cunnington
Claire Siracusa
North Melbourne veteran Ben Cunnington says new coach Alastair Clarkson has the team feeling excited and fresh ahead of the 2023 season.
Clarkson joined North Melbourne late last year after another disappointing season for the Roos, who came away with the wooden spoon and just two wins before losing top draft pick Jason Horne-Francis, who requested a trade to Port Adelaide.
Ben Cunnington says North are feeling fresh and excited as they prepare for season 2023.Credit:Getty Images
Cunnington said Clarkson hadn’t “reinvented the wheel” but had brought clarity that would help North’s younger players shine.
“It’s been awesome. The knowledge he brings and also just a bit of his personality, he’s got a good balance, so he’s definitely got the boys’ buy-in.
“And we’re off to a good start, we’re doing a few new things – without reinventing the wheel – but the boys are buying in and excited and fresh,” Cunnington said.
“We’ve got some talent on our list and we just need the right sort of leadership and coaching above, which I think we’ve got with Clarko now and now hopefully we can set them up and then the boys can bring their natural talent out and go from there.”
He said a clear plan would help deal with overthinking among players.
“We’re a lot clearer with the way we want to play and with that, it enables guys to play on more of the instinct rather than being overwhelmed, and thinking too much and hesitating. So, a lot clearer. And then hopefully with that the boys can show you the talent that we do have.”
Cunnington missed a large chunk of the 2022 as he dealt with testicular cancer, but returned at the back end of the year.
“Obviously, I’m very grateful and appreciative to be back playing, especially with what you’re going through. So, my love and passion’s definitely at an all-time high. But I just don’t want to be complacent and rest on that,” he said.
“I still feel I’ve got some good footy to give. The club have been great with me, looking after me [and] so far through pre-season the body is holding up, but I’m expecting to play some of my best footy still.”
He said he could still contribute in the midfield alongside his younger teammates but flagged a potential move forward this season.
“I still think I’ve got quite a bit to give in the midfield ‘LDU’ [Luke Davies-Uniacke] and Jy [Simpkin] did have ripper years, but I still think I can play alongside them without interrupting their game. So, hopefully we can work well together and then, yeah, potentially a bit more forward as well.”
Cunnington ruled himself out of taking over the captaincy after Jack Ziebell stepped down earlier this week.
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