AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has spoken for the primary time since compromising video emerged of Dustin Martin allegedly groping a topless feminine.
The video, which is believed to be from 2017, emerged late on Wednesday evening, simply hours earlier than Martin makes his return from a hamstring damage in Richmond’s elimination ultimate conflict with Brisbane.
WATCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Gillon McLachlan speaks to 7NEWS after Dustin Martin video scandal
Evaluation, native footy and the largest moments, Seven and 7plus are the house of footy reveals for each fan. Stream all of them totally free on 7plus >>
The footage reveals Martin strolling up behind the girl and touching her breast, allegedly with out consent, and has unfold broadly on social media since its shock launch on Wednesday evening.
Chatting with 7NEWS on the airport on Thursday afternoon, McLachlan admitted it was a “poor look”.
“Respect for women is paramount generally and, as a statement across the AFL, it’s unambiguous”, he stated.
“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, circumstances, the facts. So, without any information, it’s hard for me to comment any further beyond that.”
The AFL chief confirmed the league’s integrity unit will attempt to converse to the girl concerned.
“It’s with our integrity guys and they’ll follow up at the right time, and I’m sure they’ll try and speak to everyone involved”, McLachlan stated earlier than boarding a aircraft to Brisbane.
The bombshell video has come to gentle simply months after Jordan De Goey was sanctioned by his membership after video emerged of the Collingwood star throughout a boozy mid-season journey to Bali.
De Goey was pressured to make a public apology, acquired a $25,000 suspended high quality, and had his contract provide from the Magpies taken off the desk in the wake of the movies, in which he’s seen exposing a lady’s breast, in addition to making impolite gestures.
However on Thursday, McLachlan wouldn’t be drawn on recommendations that Martin could also be equally sanctioned.
“You need the facts and the circumstances”, he stated.
“I don’t have any information, it was late last night, and the team will follow up at the right time.
“I’ll 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.”
7NEWS reporter Tom Browne requested Richmond coach Damien Hardwick concerning the movies on Wednesday afternoon, however the three-time premiership coach stated he had not been made conscious of them but.
He did, nonetheless, affirm that the 31-year-old, whose nagging hamstring damage has sidelined him since July 3, is a sure starter for Thursday evening’s elimination blockbuster in opposition to the Lions, regardless of solely being “probably about 80 per cent” match.
“He’s a certain starter; he’s turned the corner the last three weeks,” Hardwick stated.
“Who is 100 per cent at this stage of the season? Eighty per cent Dustin Martin is pretty formidable, I’d still hate to play on him.
“What impact we get we’re not too sure; anything we get from him on a spiritual level will be very, very important and everything on field will be a bonus for us.”
Adamant his aspect can win the flag from seventh in their finals return, Hardwick has hailed this season the perfect he’s been concerned in as a coach.
Winners in three of the final 5 seasons, the Tigers will finish a one-year finals hiatus on the Gabba in Thursday’s elimination ultimate in opposition to Brisbane.
Darcy Wilmot will debut for Brisbane whereas Jarryd Lyons (groin) was a shock omission on Wednesday evening, as was retiring Richmond veteran Shane Edwards to make approach for the fit-again Dustin Martin.
Whereas the Tigers are surging the Lions have plateaued, limping into September in sixth after main the ladder halfway by the season.
Brisbane’s 1-5 finals file during the last three years has been the topic of a lot scrutiny, their solitary victory paradoxically in opposition to the Tigers in their 2020 premiership yr.
Accidents, suspensions and a complete final-round loss to defending champions Melbourne have lowered the Lions to rank flag outsiders with bookies.
However Hardwick stated the character of this season and even the Western Bulldogs’ cost from seventh to win the 2016 title created real perception in each remaining crew.
That’s regardless of Richmond by no means profitable a finals recreation when ending exterior the highest 4.
“It’s been a hell of a season; I don’t reckon there’s been a better season since I’ve been a coach,” stated Hardwick, who took the Tigers’ reins in 2010.
“The competition’s getting more and more even and (to win) you’ve got to be playing your best footy at the right time.
“We’re one of the sides that feel our best footy is thereabouts at the moment, we’ll give ourselves every chance.
“But every side will be wary of the other side they’re coming up against.”
