Richmond assistant coach Xavier Clarke is excited at the prospect of what brilliant duo Dustin Martin and Shai Bolton can achieve in the Tigers forward line this season.

Clarke, who coaches the Tiger forwards, has had both Martin and Bolton training with his group throughout the pre-season and is delighted with how they’ve performed.

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“It’s pretty good having those two boys down there. And they’re competitors. They want to continue to get better,” Clarke said.

“I think ‘Dus’ (Martin) is in a great spot at the moment.

“I can’t fault him, he’s been unbelievable. His work-rate is the best I’ve seen for a long period of time.

06:15

'It all comes down to our balance' - Clarke

Assistant Coach Xavier Clarke speaks with media following Saturday's training session.

“He hasn’t missed a session this whole pre-season and he’s looking as dynamic as he’s ever been.

“Shai’s taken his footy to another level each year and is continuing to grow as a player, but as a person as well.

“So, if we can get them working together really well in the forward line, it’s going to look good for us."

Former Richmond captain and long-time midfield star Trent Cotchin also has been thrown into the forward mix at times during the pre-season, with impressive results.

“He has looked great . . . he has kicked goals when he’s drifted forward,” Clarke said.

“He’ll spend a bit more time forward with the guys coming in that we got (Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper).

“He played probably the last five games in that role the back end of last year and hit the scoreboard.

“We’re excited to see what that does for him. But Trent’s even more excited about the opportunity to drift more forward.”

“I think he’s got a new lease on life.”

Martin has kicked a total of 303 goals in his 269 games for Richmond, with a best season return of 37 in 2017. He’s topped the 30-goal mark three other times throughout his decorated AFL career – 33 in 2011, 32 in 2019 and 31 in 2016.

Bolton has scored 100 goals in his 90 games with the Tigers. The 43 goals he kicked last year was his best tally in an AFL season.

Cotchin has 134 goals from his 287 games, with a season-best of 21 in 2012.