Dustin Martin’s drunken incident is the subject of an AFL and Richmond investigation and has become a public relations debacle for the Tigers.
Club chief executive Brendon Gale belatedly issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon, calling it a very serious matter and adding they are extremely disappointed in Martin.
That followed a call earlier in the day from Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett for the Tigers to throw the book at the midfielder.
Bartlett wants Martin banned for 12 months and to pay $50,000 to an appropriate woman’s organisation.
He slammed Richmond’s initial response on Monday to the controversy as pathetic.
Gale’s statement was much stronger than the initial club confirmation on Monday, where they said Martin had apologised to the woman for the Saturday night incident.
Martin also confirmed he was drunk at the time.
Richmond football manager Dan Richardson had also described the incident on Monday as “a bit of a hiccup”.
The woman, identified only as Tracey, said Martin threatened to stab her in the face with a chopstick.
He was eventually asked to leave the Mr Miyagi restaurant on Chapel St.
Video has also emerged, which Channel Nine said shows a man trying to drag Martin away from an argument inside the restaurant.
“This is a very serious matter that requires a thorough investigation and we are working with the AFL to ensure we have all the facts before us,” Gale said in Tuesday’s statement.
“I want to be clear that any threat of physical violence against a woman – or any member of the public for that matter – is completely unacceptable.
“Dustin is disappointed in his behaviour and we are incredibly disappointed in Dustin.”
He repeated the club’s comment on Monday that they expect to make a decision later this week on what action they will take over the incident.
Bartlett, who played 403 games for the Tigers and coached the club, was scathing on Tuesday morning in his SEN radio show.
“Not one word that violence against women is totally unacceptable – and this is at an AFL club that has the first and only female president (Peggy O’Neal),” Bartlett said of Richmond’s Monday response.
“This is not player No.42 on the club list – this is arguably their best player.”
Bartlett also noted that the AFL and its clubs strongly support the campaign to end violence against women.
“It’s hard to imagine a more serious allegation,” he said.
“A 12-month suspension and a $50,000 donation to an appropriate women’s organisation seems a realistic and fair conclusion for the club, the AFL and the image of the game.”
The AFL also confirmed in a brief statement on Tuesday afternoon that it was working with Richmond over the incident.
David
Guest
Police are not laying charges after an investigation. Time to play some football.
Aransan
Guest
The threat of violence against a woman is the act of a coward. I would have thought that the threat of violence against anyone was a criminal offence. Some people can be particularly obnoxious when they have had too much to drink, Martin seems to be a case in point. Do we just write him off, lock him up and throw away the key? Is there a possibility that this could be a wake up call for him to change his behaviour and shouldn't we be trying to move things in that direction?
Dean
Guest
Because this is the first time Dustin Martin has had a few too many to drink and lost control of himself? I doubt it, I doubt it a lot. That's assuming all he did was have a few to drink. Spent the full day at Stereosonic where I'm surprised they even sell booze.
Penster
Guest
This is not an alcohol problem, it's a violence against women problem.
Rabaul
Guest
Ryan, The full phrase was "potentially attempted murder". What would happen if a chopstick was pushed through the eye? Don't you think that potentially could cause a person's death. What if it went through to the brain? That's what that phrase refers to.Would you not think this potentiality exists if it was your wife or daughter that was subject to such an attack?
Rabaul
Guest
Ryan
Guest
Attempted murder?! Lost it.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Alcohol problem is a cop out. A lack of care for consequences is his problem.
joe b
Guest
So true. Cousins is a classic example of what can happen to a player who is not disciplined sufficiently when they start going off the rails... not that it is guaranteed to get them back on track, but a bit of tough love can help. Given how Richmond has consistently underperformed in recent finals campaigns, can they afford not to pull him into line? Sets a bad example to the rest of the squad if he is only slugged with a token punishment.
Aransan
Guest
We shouldn't damn Martin, he has to be given the chance to redeem himself and perhaps by his future actions something positive can come out of this. A $50,000 donation to an appropriate women's organisation without any prompting would be a good start. He obviously has an alcohol problem and he is going to have to learn to manage this and he may need help to succeed.
Paul W
Guest
Life after the disciplines of being an AFL player should be interesting for Martin.
Aransan
Guest
Some people should never drink alcohol and Martin has just proved that he is one of them. A $50,000 fine would be appropriate.
Rabaul
Guest
Why has there not been a police report on the incident? If Martin threatened to stab the woman in the eye with chopsticks, isn't that potentially attemped murder? Such violence (especially against women) should not be tolerated and must be dealt with harshly. Does this damage the "reputation" of the AFL any less than Cousins being suspended for using drugs (damaging himself)?" The only way that Martin will learn to control his drunken outbursts is for him to suffer the consequences of those actions, and then, just maybe, he will wake up to the fact that he is destroying any hope of a good life in the years to come!
Bob GOOCH
Guest
I totally agree with Bartlett - throw the book at this idiot