RICHMOND is confident star midfielder Dustin Martin will be fit to take on Melbourne in Monday's Anzac Day eve clash at the MCG as he recovers from groin soreness.
Martin, who was below his best against the Brisbane Lions in round four, underwent scans on Wednesday and told Channel Seven: "I've just got a bit of a sore groin … I should be fine".
The Tigers have an eight-day break before taking on the Demons, which should help the 25-year-old, who was able to complete a running session on Thursday morning.
"Dusty is (one of) our most durable players at the football club, and I think most teams would have him on one leg anyway," captain Trent Cotchin said on Thursday.
"I think he'll come up fine, he'll train on the weekend and it's one of those ones that you wait and see how it plays out.
"I don't think it's anything too significant … it's just a time thing."
Tall forward Ben Griffiths is also available for selection against the 2-2 Demons after missing two matches with concussion.
The Tigers have lost their past three clashes against the Demons, and the past two in the marquee Anzac Eve match, and Cotchin said the group felt like they "owe them a couple".
"They've had the wood over us the last couple of years, so we're looking to try and get one back on them," Cotchin said in a joint media conference with Demons co-captain Jack Viney.
"From my point of view, this is my tenth season and we’ve sort of been on par with development since almost that day, so (the rivalry) stems back probably before Jack's time.
"We're proud clubs and you want to have the wood over your neighbours."
Cotchin said the environment at the 4-0 Tigers had improved significantly this season with pressure for selection, a positive mindset, and a deeper midfield all playing a role.
The skipper said players and coaches had been focusing on "what guys can do, rather than what they can't do" and the entire group had bought in to Damien Hardwick's new game style.
"The energy has been great and not just in our senior team," Cotchin said.
"The VFL team had a great win on the weekend and guys have been really stiff to miss out … the environment is certainly better than it was last year."
@tcotchin9 and @melbournefc's @jackviney7 are speaking to the media at the @MCG, ahead of our #AFLTigersDees Anzac Eve match. pic.twitter.com/CJ28z4M6wG
— Richmond FC (@Richmond_FC) April 20, 2017