- Dustin Martin was replaced on Sunday
- The Richmond superstar had a sore back
- Martín’s future is clouded by uncertainty
Dustin Martin’s 301st AFL game was one to remember as the Richmond superstar was forced out of his team’s loss to Carlton with a lower back injury.
While Patrick Cripps produced a masterful display in the rain, Martin could only watch as he battled to win Sunday afternoon’s match at the MCG.
As the Blues ran riot, Martin decided to withdraw due to a lower back problem that made him look “uncomfortable.”
“It looks like the submarine has been activated,” Channel 7’s Campbell Brown said.
‘Dustin Martin came out and had work done on his lower back.
“He went back down to the ground for about three or four minutes, but he came back out a little uncomfortable.”
Martin’s future has been clouded by uncertainty, with reports suggesting he would quit football after his 300th game. He celebrated his 33rd birthday on Wednesday and is now entering his twilight years.
But there were no worries for Carlton fans as the Blues continued to lay the platform for an assault on the AFL finals with a 61-point victory over struggling rivals Richmond.
Richmond superstar Dustin Martin was forced to retire Sunday with a back injury.
There are doubts about the 33-year-old’s future in the AFL
Cripps was outstanding in the decisive third quarter as it rained at the MCG on Sunday, tipping the result in the Blues’ favor before they emerged with a 20.11 (131) to 10.10 (70) victory.
The inspirational captain finished with 40 disposals, 13 clearances and a goal as Carlton cemented their place in the top two, moving six points clear of the chasing pack ahead of an interstate trip to face GWS in the next round.
Richmond, trailing by as many as 29 points through the first half, was within six points when Noah Balta became the game’s first multiple kicker with the first big goal of the third quarter.
But Cripps and Sam Walsh (26 disposals) stepped up as Carlton reasserted their dominance with seven goals in a devastating 20-minute burst that effectively ended the contest.
Blake Acres (33 disposals), Nic Newman (28) and Matt Kennedy (21) were busy for Carlton, as was Adam Cerra (23), who was substituted in his first game with a hamstring injury.
Kennedy was also unable to finish the match, sitting out the latter stages with a knee injury.
Orazio Fantasia (four) and Lachie Fogarty (three) were the most prolific of the Blues’ six multiple pitchers in a powerful collective performance.
Tim Taranto (27 disposals) battled against the tide for Richmond and Daniel Rioli (24) showed his excellent ball use, while Jacob Hopper (25) worked hard on his return from a hamstring injury.
Balta was the Tigres’ top scorer with three goals.
It was all smiles for Carlton as they beat Richmond at the MCG.
Carlton made a last minute change when in-form ruckman Tom De Koning (checked/in pain) withdrew and was replaced by Marc Pittonet.
There was confusion at the fourth-quarter siren when Kamdyn McIntosh’s long-range shot went in and Tigers players thought it was a goal.
It would have led to a fifth lead change in a tight first quarter, but the kickoff was taken a fraction of a second after the siren sounded.
Carlton’s lead quickly increased to 29 points early in the second quarter before the Tigers responded with four of the next five points to cut the margin to 12 points at the main break.
Richmond’s Tom Brown was the standout player of the first half, getting on the back of Matt Owies to make a spectacular mark on the touchline.
The Tigers sniffed a surprise when Balta brought them within striking distance early in the third period.
But Fantasia responded with their second important goal and another goal from McKay, who was controversially marked after Nic Newman’s pass was tipped with his boot, marked the start of Carlton’s match-winning drive.
The result left Richmond (2-13) in second-to-last place in the standings ahead of an interstate trip to face Fremantle in the next round.