Brownlow second favourite Dustin Martin could face MRP wrath, Demon Bernie Vince in trouble
BROWNLOW Medal contender Dustin Martin has been dragged into a day of MRP controversy after a spiteful afternoon at Etihad Stadium.
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BROWNLOW Medal contender Dustin Martin has been dragged into a day of MRP controversy after a spiteful afternoon at Etihad Stadium.
Brisbane tagger Nick Robertson was reported for a headbutt on Richmond captain Trent Cotchin as spotfires broke out throughout the second half.
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Robertson then appeared to deliberately cork Dustin Martin after being tasked with reducing his impact in another brilliant game for the Brownlow’s second favourite.
As Martin responded he grappled at Robertson from behind and made contact with his face and eye in what appeared to be an accidental motion.
But, after Robertson fell to the ground and grabbed at his eyes, the match review panel will consider that vision as well as Robertson’s two incidents from earlier in the afternoon.
Richmond coach Damian Hardwick said he had not seen the incident, but suggested the midfield ace had received his fair share of unwanted attention during the game.
“When you probably get belted in the back 35 times during the game I reckon that would be fair enough,’’ Hardwick said.
“But I didn’t see it.
“We got a memo from the AFL saying that if you consistently hit someone in the back it’s going to be a free kick.
“So that’s up to the umpires to adjudicate.’’
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan also said he was in the dark over Robertson’s third-quarter report for headbutting Cotchin.
St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster was suspended for two weeks for “unreasonable and unnecessary contact” to the face of Nick Suban earlier this month but that was a more deliberate act.
Martin will be confident of escaping any sanction and looks likely to again win three Brownlow Medal votes after another dominant 40-possession display.
Melbourne has made a mockery of its new pledge for greater discipline as Bernie Vince faces tribunal heat on a pair of charges.
The Demons could lose Dean Kent for the rest of the season after he dislocated his shoulder in a heavy fall during the loss to Adelaide.
But Vince has been reported for rough conduct after bumping Richard Douglas in a charge likely to see him fined at worst.
His greater worry is an off-the-ball elbow on Eddie Betts that saw the Adelaide goalsneak recoil in shock.
Vince has an applicable bad record after striking suspensions against North Melbourne’s Jamie McMillan and St Kilda’s Nathan Wright since the start of last year.
It means if the match review panel judged his hit on Betts as intentional, low impact and to the head, it would result in a two-week suspension.
He could not downgraded that to a single week’s suspension given his bad record and would miss against the Power (MCG) and North Melbourne (Hobart).
MRP WRAP SHEET
Bernie Vince (Melb) on Eddie Betts (Adel)
The charge: Vince clips Betts with an elbow to the head off the ball. The verdict: Two down to one with intentional, low impact and high contact grading, but Vince’s track record should deny him the luxury of a discount. Two weeks.
Bernie Vince (Melb) on Richard Douglas (Adel)
The charge: Vince again. This time it’s Douglas on the wrong end of a high bump. Both were attacking the ball and Douglas bounces back up quickly. The verdict: A fine with careless, low impact and high contact grading.
Jackson Trengove (PA) on Scott Thompson (NM)
The charge: Backhanded agitator Thompson. Not the first and certainly not the last to do so. The verdict: Nothing to see here, play on.
Nick Smith (Syd) on Devon Smith (GWS)
The charge: Throws a leg out in reflex action and trips the Giants goal sneak. The verdict: Will be $1000 lighter in the hip-pocket.
Nick Robertson (BL) on Trent Cotchin (Rich)
The charge- The MRP panel will no doubt look at what appeared to be a headbutt on Cotchin.
The verdict- If it is deemed sufficient force, he’ll miss a week. However, it didn’t look like much contact.
Dustin Martin (Rich) on Nick Robertson (BL)
The charge- Martin appeared to collect Robertson in the eye from behind with a left fist.
The verdict- Not a whole lot in it, but it will be looked at. A nervous wait for many.
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