AFL 2024: Dustin Martin assessed after head knock at Richmond camp

Richmond will assess superstar Dustin Martin to see whether he can rejoin its pre-season camp after he needed stitches following a heavy head knock on the opening day.

Martin was forced from the track after suffering a cut to his chin during match simulation at Wonthaggi on Wednesday.

The Tigers said the 32-year-old had returned to the group after leaving the camp for treatment, and would be monitored for signs of concussion while remaining in Wonthaggi.

He could resume activities as early as Thursday as the Tigers train away from home for the first time under new coach Adem Yze.

Triple-premiership defender Nathan Broad says he was enjoying the balance of work and play under only the second senior coach of his career.

“Ooze (Yze) is good, when it’s time to work, let’s put your work hat on and we’re getting down to business, but then there will be certain parts of this camp and training where let’s have a bit of fun and take your work hat off,” Broad said.

“Wonthaggi and Inverloch has been awesome so far, and we’ve got a few days to go so I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of it.

“This deck is unbelievable, this is almost better than some of the grounds we play on.”

Tom Lynch was absent from the track again as he eyes a return to full training after Christmas, but Broad praised the work ethic of his potential key forward partner Jacob Koschitzke after being matched up against the former Hawk in drills.

“He runs really well the big fella … he moves really well, his GPS numbers are huge, he competes really hard and he’s doing everything right,” Broad said.

“Same as Sam Naismith, they buy into our culture straight away, so it’s been good having those boys.”

Josh Gibcus joined the defenders for line drills as he pushes to return to senior football after a complex hamstring injury derailed his entire 2023 season.

Broad called the 20-year-old a “freak” as he began to ramp up his training amid great caution from Richmond.

“He’s a freak, Gibby, he’s tall, he’s quick, he’s fit. He’s probably ready to go at the moment, but just with the past history and where he’s been at, we don’t want to push it,” he said.

“He came and joined in a couple of back(line) things today and the boys got around him … he’s going to be a great player for the future.”