AFL finals news: Richmond reacts to Dustin Martin controversy, speculation over future

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has conceded the leaked video of Dustin Martin groping a woman has been a distraction. Meanwhile, Martin is set to be grilled by the AFL.

Dustin Martin has been linked with a move to Sydney.

The AFL’s integrity team is set to interview Dustin Martin in coming days over claims he groped the bare breast of a woman in a Richmond pub.

The Tigers released a statement on Thursday confirming both the league and Tigers were working to find out the exact circumstances of the video.

It is understood the video was taken in the days after the 2015 finals campaign and was then leaked on social media on the eve of Thursday night’s cutthroat final between Richmond.

The pub in question was Richmond’s Sporting Globe, where players were in a private room.

Richmond said in a statement: “The Club has become aware of a video from 2015 that is circulating on-line involving Dustin Martin. The AFL has been informed and we are working cooperatively to understand the circumstances.”

The footage shows a woman taking a drink from Martin before she turns away and he fondles her breast while standing behind her.

AFL investigators will speak to Martin after Thursday’s final to better understand the context around the incident.

Richmond senior club advisor Neil Balme dismissed suggestions the Martin video saga would be a distraction for the Tigers ahead of their crunch elimination final against the Lion at the Gabba.

Asked if the media storm over the video had been a distraction for Martin and the playing group, Balme said: “I don’t think we took it that seriously, but we’ll see what happens. It seems a long time ago that you are talking about,” Balme said on Channel 10.

“I think we are pretty good at focusing on what needs to be focused on and the game is the only thing that is important to us.

“He is a pretty good player whether he is forward or mid.

“He will probably play a reasonable amount (of time) forward.”

Dustin Martin is facing a grilling by AFL investigators.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick conceded the video scandal had been a “bit of a distraction” for the club, but backed his players to get the “job done” against the Lions.

“The boys are pretty good. These things happen from time to time in footy clubs, we have dealt with a few issues prior and we will deal with more issues again at some stage,” Hardwick said on Fox Footy.

“The reality is the guys will just move on with it if that makes sense … it’s been a little bit of a distraction but the fact of the matter is the guys are here to get a job done as are we.”

Hardwick conceded Martin, who has not played since round 16 due to a hamstring injury, might take some time to work himself into the game.

“I have given Dustin the plan, but it will probably be whatever Dustin decides to be fair,” Hardwick said.

“He has got a very good understanding of what he needs to do, so once again, we plug him in and we go in with the very best of intentions.

“But the great ones know what they are doing so we just let him go. Look, he’ll take a bit of time to get into the game, we’d imagine, to get into the game. We hope he gets in nice and early but we’ll see how he goes tonight.

“It is great to have him back, to be honest, for the game.”

The league’s relevant code is the respect and responsibility policy, which this year saw Jordan De Goey fined $25,000 (all suspended) after he bared the breast of a woman in a Bali nightclub.

Collingwood fined De Goey and he pledged to “undertake further behavioural education” in addition to an existing counselling program.

He was not suspended, which means as a direct comparison it is much less likely Martin will be banned from an AFL final.

Dustin Martin returned from a long layoff in the elimination final.

De Goey said his actions were “disrespectful” and betrayed the trust of Collingwood after it granted him a holiday in Bali.

The length of time since the incident will play a part in the Martin investigation but the image of Martin groping a female’s breast will still see the AFL or Richmond eventually making clear it was an unacceptable act.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said on Thursday the league was looking into the circumstances of the video

“Respect for women is paramount generally, as a statement it’s clear across the AFL and unambiguous,” McLachlan told Channel 7.

“At first pass, the video, it’s a poor look but I don’t have any further information, I only found out late last night … I don’t have any further information this morning about Dustin’s relationship to the woman, her views, the circumstances, the facts, so without any information, it’s hard for me to comment any further beyond that.

“It’s with our integrity guys and they’ll follow up at the right time and I’m sure they’ll try to speak to everyone involved.”

He refused to be drawn on what sanctions Martin could receive: “You need the facts and the circumstances, I don’t have any information.”

“I just reiterate what I said, respect for women is paramount, at face value it’s a poor look but I don’t have any context or information beyond that and I don’t think it’s fair to anyone involved to comment further than that until we have the information,” he said.

Gillon McLachlan has responded to video appearing to show Dustin Martin at a strip club.

AFL BOSS RESPONDS TO DUSTY VIDEO FURORE

Gillon McLachlan says the video of Dustin Martin groping the bare breast of a woman isn’t a good look.

But the AFL boss says he needs more information before the league assesses the actions of the premiership star.

The Martin video leaked on the eve of Thursday night’s cutthroat final between Richmond and Brisbane at the Gabba, where the Norm Smith medallist will return to play his first game for the Tigers since round 16.

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The video is being investigated by the AFL.

The footage shows a woman taking a drink from Martin before she turns away and he fondles her breast while standing behind her.

“Respect for women is paramount generally, as a statement it’s clear across the AFL and unambiguous,” McLachlan told Channel 7.

“At first pass, the video, it’s a poor look but I don’t have any further information, I only found out late last night … I don’t have any further information this morning about Dustin’s relationship to the woman, her views, the circumstances, the facts, so without any information, it’s hard for me to comment any further beyond that.

“It’s with our integrity guys and they’ll follow up at the right time and I’m sure they’ll try to speak to everyone involved.”

He refused to be drawn on what sanctions Martin could receive: “You need the facts and the circumstances, I don’t have any information.”

“I just reiterate what I said, respect for women is paramount, at face value it’s a poor look but I don’t have any context or information beyond that and I don’t think it’s fair to anyone involved to comment further than that until we have the information,” he said.

Originally published as AFL finals news: Richmond reacts to Dustin Martin controversy, speculation over future