Dustin Martin subbed out of Richmond’s loss to Carlton

Dustin Martin struggled with a back problem and had little impact during Richmond’s heavy AFL loss to the Blues.

Dustin Martin receives medical attention on his back. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Richmond will be “mindful” of taking Dustin Martin on the Tigers’ trip to Perth next week after he was subbed out of Sunday’s 61-point loss to Carlton with back soreness.

Martin was having little impact on the game, with just seven disposals halfway through the third quarter, and opted to be subbed out for the fresh Sam Banks.

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Richmond has Fremantle away off a six-day break next week before another trip to Adelaide in three weeks.

Tigers coach Adem Yze said Martin tried to get on for one more rotation in but eventually deemed it “pointless”.

“Against a quality team like Carlton you need 18 fit guys out there, so for him to put his hand up and say his back is too sore at the moment and give Banksy a go is a credit to him,” Yze said.

“We’ve got to wait and see, it’s a six-day break, he’s had some spasms in his back today.

“He will have a day off tomorrow and we will see how he pulls up when he comes in on Tuesday.”

Dustin Martin receives medical attention on his back. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Yze said there was always potential for Martin to miss one or both of the interstate trips but his latest spasm could have forced the Tigers’ hand.

“We’ve got to be mindful that we’ve got two travels and two six-day breaks in our first month back from the bye,” he said.

“Whether this is the reason why he needs to miss, because he’s got a tight back now anyway, our hand might be dealt anyway.

“We will make that decision, if he bounces out of the game OK then there’s no reason why he can’t play next week.”

Yze added Dion Prestia “might be” available next week but they would not risk Tom Lynch.

Dusty had some treatment before pulling the pin. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

In terms of the match, Carlton superstar Patrick Cripps did his chances of a second Brownlow Medal no harm with another clinical performance on Sunday.

Cripps stuffed the stat sheet with 40 disposals – 16 of them contested – 14 clearances and a goal in the 20.11 (131) to 10.10 (70) win over Richmond.

The Blues’ skipper started red-hot, collecting 14 disposals, three clearances, three inside 50s and three tackles in the first quarter alone.

He was nullified in the second term but exploded again in the third and fourth

Cripps, who is set to play his 200th game in a fortnight, hit the scoreboard for the ninth time this year when the Blues put the match to bed in the third quarter.

His dazzling display follows a 41-possession night against Geelong last week.

Cripps celebrates with fans after the dominant performance. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A defiant Tim Taranto registered 27 disposals and nine clearances in defeat.

Ruckman Marc Pittonet was a late inclusion for the in-form Tom De Koning, who was managed in the final hour before the game.

Pittonet was comprehensively beaten in the hit-outs by Richmond captain Toby Nankervis, but it caused Michael Voss no issues with Cripps and Sam Walsh running amok through the middle of the ground.

Charlie Curnow, meanwhile, had his quietest day for the year despite kicking two goals.

The two-time Coleman Medalist narrowly avoided ending his streak of multiple goals, which has stood since last year’s preliminary final, with a goal in time on of the fourth quarter.