Tigers have been asked by the AFL to investigate Dusty's "salute"
Richmond investigates Dustin Martin's jailhouse saluteDate
September 9, 2013 - 5:54PM
Jon Pierik
Sports writer with The Age
The AFL has asked Richmond to investigate why midfielder Dustin Martin offered a jailhouse salute after he kicked a goal during the Tigers' upset loss to Carlton on Sunday.
Martin made the emotional tribute in front of the biggest ever crowd at an elimination final after booting a goal in the second term of the 20-point defeat at the MCG.
The Tigers do not know what prompted the celebration, or to whom it was directed.
AFL spokesman Patrick Keane confirmed on Monday the league had contacted the Tigers.
"We asked the club to deal with it via their in house mechanisms, rather than have us issue a formal note to him," he said.
Collingwood small forward Andrew Krakouer, another who has gone public with a jailhouse salute during a match, tweeted his support for Martin at the time, but the posting was later removed.
"@DustinMartin4 love the celebration just showing some support. Unlucky on the loss," Krakouer wrote.
Martin began the game well before fading after the salute, finishing with 19 disposals, but only eight after half-time.
Former Western Bulldogs captain Luke Darcy, now a prominent commentator, took aim at Martin on Monday on his weekly show on the AFL website.
"We have seen players go with it before. It's some sort of tribute to a mate who is behind bars. Write him a letter Dustin, give him a call ... I am not trying to be overly cute about this," Darcy said.
"After that moment, Dustin Martin had eight possessions in the second half. You have got Richmond supporters who waited their whole life for that (a final), find your time for your personal time afterwards.
"I would be absolutely furious if I was (coach) Damien Hardwick and his teammates. That is very selfish and just a poor thing to do. Leave that out of the game."
Former St Kilda players Michael Gardiner and Brendon Goddard have also supported either a friend or family member with a controversial salute during a game
Read more:
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/richmond-investigates-dustin-martins-jailhouse-salute-20130909-2tg3x.html#ixzz2eOP6L4JV
