Pills seal Connors' fateafl.com.au
Wed 04 Jul, 2012TROUBLED utility Daniel Connors and star midfielder Dustin Martin have assured Richmond no illicit drugs were involved in the events that saw Connors depart the club and Martin suspended over use of sleeping medication.
The Tigers announced on Tuesday that Connors and the club had "mutually agreed to part ways" after he and Martin missed training on Tuesday morning as a result of taking sleeping medication the night before.
Richmond said in a statement on its website that while Connors was on prescribed medication and had not been drinking alcohol, he had, by his own admission, failed to uphold club standards by missing training.
"As a result, he has decided to walk away from the club and focus on the next phase of his life."
Just two weeks ago, coach Damien Hardwick praised Connors for winning back the trust of his teammates after he fought his way into the senior side for the clash with Greater Western Sydney.
Martin had consumed alcohol on Monday night, and also took non-prescribed sleeping medication, before missing the Tuesday morning training session.
Richmond football manager Craig Cameron told a media conference on Wednesday afternoon that he had been assured by the two players that illicit drugs had not been involved.
He said the Tigers' leadership group had been consulted on and had agreed to the penalties.
"We have set a standard as a football club and there is a clear expectation that our players meet that standard," Cameron said.
"Adhering to training requirements is not negotiable.
"Daniel has failed to meet club expectations on a number of occasions and this latest incident can't be considered in isolation."
Cameron said Connors had not been given an opportunity to plead his case before a decision was made.
The club had been in contact with the player, his management and family, and would continue to support the 23-year-old as he worked through his off-field issues.
Martin will miss critical matches against Melbourne and Gold Coast, compounding the losses earlier this week of Jake King, Dylan Grimes and Tyrone Vickery to injury, and Daniel Jackson to suspension.
"There's no doubt that these sanctions have an impact on our on-field playing ability, but in the long-term we want to be a club that sets standards and sticks by them," Cameron said.
"Dustin understands that missing training is simply unacceptable.
"We want to send a strong message that we don't accept this sort of behaviour and Dustin is now fully aware of this."
Cameron said he had had no previous concerns over Martin's off-field behaviour, and the onballer "hadn't missed a beat at training".
He said Martin had had "a couple of bourbon and Cokes" and taken sleeping medication on the night before failing to turn up at training.
The medication had not belonged to Connors.
Cameron said the club would counsel Martin about taking prescription medication before first consulting with the club doctor.
"Dustin's very remorseful for his actions and he's upset that he's let the football club down."
Martin and a teammate were playing pool at a friend's house on Monday night before staying the night at Connors' home.
Cameron said Martin had taken the medication because he couldn't sleep.
"This is Dustin's first sanction by the football club.
"I think two matches is a fair penalty, but it's a penalty we want to make sure sends a message."
Agent Ralph Carr, who manages Martin's affairs, was bunkered down at Punt Rd as Richmond officials made a call on his client's penalty.
"Look, he's very disappointed in himself," Carr said.
"You know, the guy's really upset that he's let the club down and his teammates down. I'll leave it at that."
Connors played 29 matches for the Tigers after being drafted with pick No. 58 in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft. He played two matches this season after three in an injury-plagued 2011.
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