KFC SuperFooty TV: Lauren Wood, Nick Smart and Jack Watts look at the big issues in the AFL before round 17

A Dustin Martin doorstop has seen debate rage — and a panellist on KFC SuperFooty TV has a personal connection to the snubbed journalist. Watch and have your say.

Debate has raged over a Dustin Martin ‘doorstop’ as he went to get scans on his injured hamstring.

Channel 7 reporter Mitch Cleary – who is dating panellist Jack Watts’ sister – was ignored by the Richmond superstar when asked for comment.

The KFC SuperFooty TV team discussed the issue, with Watts describing Cleary as the “nicest bloke” he has ever met.

“My poor man Mitch Cleary,” he chuckled.

“If you want your sister to date someone, it is Mitch Cleary. He is the nicest bloke I’ve ever met. But Dusty has given him the big don’t argue.”

Dustin Martin gave journalist Mitch Cleary the don’t argue.

Asked about how his experiences of being doorstopped, Watts said football club could sometimes offer advice of how to approach it.

The former Port Adelaide and Melbourne player said he had some sympathy for his privacy being invaded.

“It can be manufactured in a way and if you’ve got a good relationship with the club (they) could just say, ‘give them this spiel. Because that’s what you guys (the media) want, a one liner.

“In saying that too, gee can he just go in peace?”

Host Lauren Wood described doorstops as “horrible all-round” for journalists and players, while Nick Smart said he wasn’t surprised by the incident, but felt it was part of Martin’s mystery and didn’t see it as disrespectful.

“I know there has been people saying it is a bit disrespectful, it is just Dusty – that is the mystique of Dusty. He doesn’t give anything,” Smart said.

Smart detailed his recent doorstop experience with suspended Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith, saying that he managed to escape the waiting media pack through a side entry.

“There are certain clubs where you know you can’t escape. Collingwood, Melbourne, where you have to walk from the carpark. There’s no underground tunnel,” he said.

“I had the misfortune of having to doorstop Bailey Smith at the Bulldogs a few weeks ago. And I was there with a few other journos and camera crews, and we didn’t get him. They have a side gate around the main entrance that they can get through.”

The panel discuss the North Melbourne’s dismal season, Thursday’s top-of-the table clash, Collingwood’s run home and more.