AFL West Coast v Richmond: McQualter on Dustin Martin elbow off the ball, Maurice Rioli subbing

Andrew McQualter had plenty to talk about post-game after Dustin Martin’s off-ball elbow and Maurice Rioli’s reaction to being subbed.

Brad Elborough

5 min read

July 16, 2023 - 10:10PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Dustin Martin might be facing a suspension. Picture: Getty Images

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Richmond caretaker coach Andrew McQualter can relate to Maurice Rioli’s reaction to being subbed out of Sunday’s game against West Coast.

But he fell short of justifying his action of refusing to talk to the coaches after being benched in the final term.

McQualter has a couple of tough conversations ahead of him this week.

The other will be with superstar Dustin Martin, who let his frustrations get the better of him late in the first half of the Tigers 38-point win over the Eagles.

"I'm not sure the MRO is going to be very happy about that one." ðŸ˜²

Is Dusty in trouble for this?

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Richmond was dominating general play, but with 3.8 on the board, were unable to put the bottom side away.

Martin had a brain fade, appearing to throw his elbow back in the midriff of Eagles defender Alex Witherden, who dropped to his knees.

The incident happened behind play and was enough for the umpires to pay a free kick to West Coast up the ground.

The impact appeared enough to attract only a fine, although Fox Sports commentator Jonathan Brown initially thought otherwise.

“I’m not sure the MRO is going to be very happy about that one,” Brown said.

“It depends on where he’s hit him. From the reaction from Witherden, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got a week for that.”

Martin is building another impressive season as he gets a sniff at another finals’ series.

He was again good on Sunday, picking up 23 touches, contributing six inside 50 entries, having three score assists and kicking 2.3.

McQualter praised Martin’s performance and questioned whether he has anything to worry about as a result of the incident.

“I think Dustin is putting together a pretty impressive season; just the numbers he’s able to consistently produce, but also the way he impacts games in different ways, which is probably hard to justify at times,” he said.

“But he really controls the tone of our defence, which might sound surprising to some but yeah, the energy he gives us I think he’s in a great patch of form, hungry player always looking to get better.

“I know it happened. We don’t want any of those actions to cost us off the ball. Because ultimately it hurts the team.

“But Dustin knows that. He would have known straight away. I’m not sure there’s anything too much further in it, is there?”

Rioli was subbed from the game in the final term, for Hugo Ralphsmith, having had just six possessions and adding 0.1 to the scoreboard.

He wasn’t happy, either with is own performance, or with being benched, is unknown.

Maurice Rioli refused to pick up the phone after being subbed.

He wasn’t interested in talking to anyone on the bench though, refusing to take the phone to talk to the coach who was on the other end. That coach wasn’t McQualter, who was empathetic to Rioli’s situation, but wanted to find out more about the incident before commenting further.

“The reality is, I’ve been subbed off it’s not a nice feeling,” he said.

“I understand; young kid, he’s trying to make his way. I understand if he was disappointed. So, he’ll be ok.

“Whatever happened, we’ll deal with it when we need to, but I’m not exactly sure what played out at that time.”

MATCH REPORT: TIGERS KEEP FINALS HOPES ALIVE

Richmond is back within striking distance of the top eight.

The Tigers 38-point win over West Coast at Optus Stadium on Sunday was not as dominant as others have been against the undermanned Eagles this season.

But it was enough for them to grab 11th spot on the ladder.

With a 6-2 record since Andrew McQualter took control, the Tigers are now lurking dangerously, just two premiership points behind sixth-placed St Kilda and one win adrift of fifth-placed Geelong.

Dustin Martin and the Tigers were too strong for West Coast, but Dusty could face some MRO heat. Picture: Getty Images

They play Hawthorn at the MCG in the next round.

Whether they have Dustin Martin for that clash will come down to how the MRO views an incident the superstar was involved with behind the play with Eagles defender Alex Witherden in the second term.

It appears Martin connected with an elbow into the midriff of the Eagle, but the force may not have been enough to warrant a suspension.

The Tigers were wasteful in front of goal, in winning 14.14 (98) to 8.12 (60).

They had 3.9 on the scoreboard and led by only 10 points just before half-time before Liam Baker and Ivan Soldo kicked late goals to give them a 22 point lead the main break.

A six-minute run early in the third term, when Richmond kicked 4.0, was the difference in the game.

Richmond is the first of six sides to play the struggling bottom side West Coast for a second time this season.

But it appears that the easy beat tag that the Eagles have held all season, may be no longer.

Richmond struggled to nail their shots, especially in the opening half. Picture: Getty Images

OWN WORST ENEMY

When Shai Bolton marked and took a set shot on goal within 50 seconds of game starting, it looked like a tough day ahead was coming for West Coast.

Instead, Bolton’s missed shot set the tone for the first half.

The Tigers dominated the opening term, having 18 inside 50 entries in the first quarter.

And they took eight marks within scoring distance.

But they didn’t get the reward that they deserved, with just 2.6 on the scoreboard at the first break.

That put unnecessary pressure on the Tigers who led by just 11 points at the first break.

Daniel Rioli set the tone for effort in defence though. His run was the reason the forwards kept getting their shots on goal. He finished with 31 disposals, at a remarkable 96 per cent efficiency.

Bolton finished with 2.4 from 23 touches and Martin also had 23 disposals, kicking his second goal after the final siren.

MORE EAGLES PAIN

West Coast’s bench looked more like a hospital ward in the first term on Sunday, with Jeremy McGovern, Bailey Williams, Reuben Ginbey and Tom Barrass all needed medical attention during the quarter.

Ginbey was the only one that didn’t come back out, the youngster finishing the term with ice on a hamstring.

His injury brought Andrew Gaff into the game, who was relegated to sub for this clash, who had just six possessions against Brisbane a week earlier.

Gaff responded, with 12 possessions in the second term, on his way to.

Things looked even worse for the Eagles when Oscar Allen went to the bench within 30 seconds of the second term starting.

He fell awkwardly in a marking contest and appeared to be holding his wrist.

He returned though and after not being kept without a possession by Noah Balta in the opening half, finished with three goals.

Tim Kelly was again outstanding for the Eagles, with 27 disposals and a personal best 12 inside 50 entries.

The Eagles get around Jack Darling for kicking goal number 500 of his career. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT A DARLING

Jack Darling booted just one goal for West Coast, coming late in the third term. But it earned an enormous celebrations from his teammates and supporters.

The key forward, who has played second fiddle to Josh Kennedy for most of his career, reached his 500th career goal with the kick.

He’d had a couple of shots earlier in the game, but failed to convert.

Darling sits third on the Eagles all-time goal-kicking tally, behind Peter Sumich (514 goals) and Kennedy (712).

He was playing in his 271st game, joining Kennedy on that number, in fourth place behind Shannon Hurn (329), Dean Cox (290) and Glen Jakovich (276).