Richmond Tigers superstar Dustin Martin has been slapped with a two-game suspension by the AFL’s match review officer over a striking incident during this past weekend’s dismal loss to the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
[jwplayer wqe0X5mC]
Martin struck Giants defender Adam Kennedy well off the ball during an already dirty, out-of-form afternoon for the former Brownlow Medalist.
AFL MRO Michael Christian found that the elbow strike to Kennedy’s head was intentional, and of medium impact, necessitating a two-game ban that will see him unavailable for a crucial pair of games against Port Adelaide and Sydney.
Dustin Martin gave away a free kick in this incident.#AFLGiantsTigers pic.twitter.com/g4EaF30bQA
— AFL (@AFL) April 6, 2019
Hundred metres off the ball. Elbow to the back of the head. No matter how you interpret that, it’s not a great look for Dusty.
It wasn’t the only time Martin acted up during the game, in which GWS thrashed Richmond from pillar to post en route to a 125 – 76 win.
During the second quarter Martin was caught on camera inviting GWS ruckman Shane Mumford to sit on this and rotate, while shouting the phrase “have a fucken line ya fucken loser.”
Dustin Martin stuck up the middle finger towards a Giants player. pic.twitter.com/LySIkzQWo0
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) April 6, 2019
In a seperate striking incident in the same game, Martin was also fined $1,500 for elbowing GWS tagger Matt de Boer in the midriff, making it a real dog of a game all around for old mate.
The suspension, which will likely be accepted if they’re completely thick, means the Tigers will travel to Adelaide next weekend for a crucial clash with Port without Martin, Trent Cotchin, Alex Rance, and Jack Riewoldt, the latter three of whom are all injured.
Richmond are back to being a bit of a shambles, and order is finally restored to the league once again.
Everything in its right place.
