LIVE: AFL boss says Dusty video a 'poor look'

LIVE: AFL boss says Dusty video a 'poor look'
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has admitted the Dusty video scandal has been a bit of a "distraction", but has confidence in his team tonight. "The boys are pretty good," he told Fox Footy. "Obviously these things happen from time to time in footy clubs, we've dealt with a few issues prior (to this incident) and we'll deal with some issues afterwards no doubt.
"It's been a little bit of a distraction, but the fact of the matter is the guys are here to get the job done. " The final teams are also in for tomorrow night's clash as well as Saturday's double-header and there are some big calls! Melbourne has brought in halfback Christian Salem for tomorrow night's qualifying final against the Swans, with James Jordon and Jake Bowey dropping out. Jordan will line up as the medi-sub.
Geelong will welcome back Mitch Duncan, Jeremy Cameron and Rhys Stanley, with Mark O'Connor, Esava Ratugolea, Brandan Parfitt and Jonathon Ceglar making way. Collingwood also has a big inclusion with Taylor Adams ruled fit to play, with Finlay Macrae and Oliver Henry dropped. Henry will line up as the medi-sub.
Ravaged by injuries, Fremantle has taken a massive swing with last year's top-10 pick Jye Amiss recalled for just the second match of his career. Amiss will be joined by Rory Lobb and Griffin Logue, while Nat Fyfe, Darcy Tucker, Lloyd Meek and Bailey Banfield all making way from Freo's round 23 line-up. Tucker will be the medi-sub.
The Bulldogs recall Jason Johannisen , Toby McLean and Alex Keath with Tom Liberatore, Robbie McComb, Josh Bruce and Taylor Duryea all out of the side that faced Hawthorn in round 23. McComb has been named the medi-sub. Regardless of tonight's result it shapes as a contest which Brisbane's Darcy Wilmot is not likely to forget any time soon.
The Northern Knights product will play his first AFL match tonight after being selected 16th overall by Brisbane in last year's draft. Both Brisbane and Richmond are set to line-up as selected with no late changes for either side. The medical substitutes tonight will be Callum Ah Chee for Brisbane and Shane Edwards for Richmond, in what could possibly be his last AFL match.
Dustin Martin is yet to speak publicly following the release of that leaked video from 2015, but could this scandal drive him into retirement? That's the question on the Tigers' minds, according to Nine's Tony Jones, given the Brownlow Medallist is already in a fragile state of mind following the death of his father last year. "It's what could be the fallout, that's the great unknown at this stage," Jones told 9News Melbourne. "Football aside, there's genuine concern for Martin's mental wellbeing, (with) the controversy coming as he still tries to cope with the recent death of his father.
"The added concern for not just fans, but the club in general is that this controversy might just push Martin into retirement or to Sydney in a bid to escape the fishbowl of Melbourne. " Tigers assistant coach David Teague has also addressed the incident. "He's been through a lot this year and it's another situation where he has to put that aside when it comes to game day and play his role for the team," Teague told 9News Melbourne.
"I've got no doubt he's got his closer confidants he'll go to, probably some of the senior players, the coach, but Dusty is a pretty private person so it wouldn't surprise me if he's spending a bit of time by himself. " AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan says the league is seeking more details on the context surrounding a video which appears to show Richmond star Dustin Martin grabbing the breast of a topless woman. The video is understood to be from 2015, but emerged late on Wednesday night, 24 hours prior to the Tigers' finals clash against the Lions.
"What I'd say at the outset is that respect for women is paramount generally. As a statement it's clear across the AFL and unambiguous," McLachlan told reporters at the Melbourne Airport on Thursday. "[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, the circumstances, the facts, and so without any information it's hard for me to comment any further. " McLachlan confirmed that the video is being investigated by the AFL Integrity Unit. "It's with our integrity guys and they'll follow up at the right time, and I'm sure they will speak to everyone involved," he said.
"I don't have any context or information beyond that, I don't think it's fair to anyone involved to comment further than that until we have the information. " Good evening footy fans and welcome to Wide World of Sports' live AFL finals coverage! Tonight kicks off a month of what's set to be some blockbuster footy action, with the Brisbane Lions hosting Richmond in the second elimination final at the Gabba. Strap yourselves in as we bring you all the latest news in the lead-up to tonight's match as well as news from around the league in general.
.