They expect to be boosted by the return of Tom Lynch, the forward having had three weeks to recover from an injured hamstring. Forward-midfielder Kane Lambert is a strong chance to force his way into the starting 22, having been the unused medical substitute last week.

Lambert has a chronic hip injury and the Tigers are desperate to nurse him through the season.

“That was the best thing to happen to him last week. We had him just in case and didn’t have to use him,” Balme said.

Jack Riewoldt is playing with an injured finger but continues to suit up.

The two teams met in round one, the Blues ending a nine-year string of defeats with a powerful final quarter. Martin had a six-week personal break after that game.

Loading

The Blues, at 9-3, are primed to play in their first finals campaign since 2013 and have emerged as a serious premiership contender due to an attacking game plan and an ability to score from stoppages.

Midfielder Adam Cerra was forced off during the 26-point win over Essendon on Friday with a hamstring issue and is in doubt.

This is a Tigers home game, so Martin’s presence has even more value in terms of attracting a crowd of more than 60,000. Only 21,757 supporters attended last Thursday night’s match between the Tigers and Port Adelaide at the MCG, the lowest attendance for a Tigers’ home match at the venue since 2010 (COVID years aside).

Frustrated by ticketing issues and even over-umpiring, supporters appear less inclined to brave the cold and support their team in person. The poor turn-out also sparked debate as to the value of Thursday-night football in winter during a school term.

“Hopefully, we get a lot of people there to get the Thursday numbers up and going,” Hardwick said.

“Thursday nights, people are still becoming accustomed to, and this time of the year it is really, really difficult. Obviously, it’s cold, a school night, 7.20pm start is a little bit earlier, but I still maintain when the game starts at 7.50pm (on Fridays) and, I am an AFL coach, I am asleep by half-time.”

In a season when ratings and attendances have been down, the Blues and Tigers attracted 72,179 fans in round one, but that was in mid-March.

Meanwhile, St Kilda could be forced into three changes for Friday night’s “Spud’s Game” against Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

Loading

In what was a bruising loss to Brisbane on Saturday, draftee Mitch Owens and Daniel McKenzie were concussed and are in protocols, while Zak Jones is in doubt despite scans clearing him of a hamstring injury. However, the Saints may err on the side of caution.

“Jones will undergo a number of tests at training this week to determine his availability for this week’s match against Essendon in the second annual Spud’s Game,” the Saints said on the club website.

Hunter Clark (24 disposals) and Jack Billings (32) impressed in the VFL and are in line for a recall.

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.