Reporter’s dust-up over Dustin Martin’s ‘girlfriend’

A promotional appearance for AFL star Dustin Martin allegedly turned physical after a reporter asked about his rumoured “girlfriend”.

A reporter has accused Dustin Martin’s manager of shoving him in the back when he asked the AFL star about the model he is rumoured to be dating

The Daily Mail’s Wayne Flower says the Richmond midfielder’s manager Ralph Carr objected to him asking “What does your girlfriend think of the gear?” he was promoting at Bonds Melbourne Central shop this week.

“You may think it’s not an unusual question to ask a bloke who is pushing a line of clothing.

In March, it was reported Martin was dating model Chontelle Berryman,” Flower wrote. “It was a well-placed rumour that both Martin and Berryman shot down in flames.”

But after Martin only offered “Sorry?” in response, with a “a death stare that Clint Eastwood would have approved of”, Flower said “the towering champ’s protecting angel stepped in”.

“Don’t do that,” Carr reportedly said, before “giving the reporter a shove in the back”.

“Carr is a high-profile celebrity manager who could pass as a double for Joe Pesci’s character from Goodfellas,” Flower wrote. “(The) mop-headed agent took a step back and denied he had shoved anyone. But shove he did.”

Flower was also critical of Martin’s appearance while he posed for photographs with fans, describing him as “dusty”.

“Watching Dusty meet his fans on Wednesday was like watching a teenage boyfriend meeting his girlfriend’s dad,” Flower wrote. “He looked uncomfortable. Annoyed. Hurried. Anxious.

Who knows what is going on in the footballer’s life?”

Dustin Martin. Picture: BONDS

Dustin Martin's rumoured girlfriend Chontelle Berryman. Picture: Instagram/chontelleberryman

The report contrasts with Martin’s recent resurgence on the field where he’s arguably resumed his mantle as the AFL’s best player in recent weeks.

Martin has elevated his form to a level similar to 2017, when he polled record votes to claim the Brownlow Medal.

Martin, who is ineligible for this year’s award after serving a suspension, had 35 disposals, 13 inside-50s and a goal against the Eagles on the weekend. “I thought he started to turn the game for us, started to get some really important possession,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.