Richmond fans face nervous wait over Dustin Martin after ‘uncomfortable’ footy superstar made sad decision

Dustin Martin’s 301st AFL match was one to forget. The Richmond superstar was forced to withdraw from the defeat to Carlton due to a lower back injury.

As Patrick Cripps put in a masterful performance in the rain, Martin could only watch as he struggled through Sunday afternoon’s match at the MCG.

As the Blues were on the rampage, Martin gave up due to a lower back complaint that left him looking ‘uncomfortable’.

“It appears the submarine has been activated,” Channel 7’s Campbell Brown said.

‘Dustin Martin came by and had his lower back treated.

“He was on the ground again for about three or four minutes, but then he felt a bit uncomfortable.”

Martin’s future has been clouded by uncertainty, with reports suggesting he would retire from football after his 300th game. He celebrated his 33rd birthday on Wednesday and is now entering his final years.

But Carlton fans had no worries as the Blues continued to lay the foundation for an assault on the AFL finals with a 61-point victory over their struggling rivals Richmond.

There are doubts over the 33-year-old’s future in the AFL

Cripps was superb in the decisive third quarter as rain fell at the MCG on Sunday, tilting the match the Blues’ way before they cruised to a 20.11 (131) to 10.10 (70) victory.

The inspirational skipper finished with 40 disposals, 13 clearances and a goal as Carlton consolidated their top two position, moving six points clear of the chasing pack ahead of an interstate trip to play GWS in the next round.

Richmond, trailing by as many as 29 points in the first half, pulled within six when Noah Balta became the game’s first multiple scorer with the first major of the third quarter.

But Cripps and Sam Walsh (26 possessions) came in handy as Carlton reasserted their dominance with seven goals in a devastating 20-minute spell that effectively ended the match.

Blake Acres (33 disposals), Nic Newman (28) and Matt Kennedy (21) were all busy for Carlton, as was Adam Cerra (23), who was substituted in his first game back after a hamstring injury.

Kennedy also failed to finish the match and sat out the final stages with a knee complaint.

Orazio Fantasia (four) and Lachie Fogarty (three) were the most prolific of the six goalscorers for the Blues, producing a strong team 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 Tigers’ main goalie with three.

It was all smiles for Carlton as they defeated Richmond at the MCG

Carlton made a late substitution when in-form ruckman Tom De Koning (managed/hurt) withdrew and was replaced by Marc Pittonet.

There was confusion over the quarter siren when a long shot from Kamdyn McIntosh rolled over for what Tigers players thought was a goal.

It would have led to a fifth lead change in a tense opening phase, but the winger’s kick was executed a fraction of a second after the acoustic signal.

Carlton’s lead quickly grew to 29 points early in the second quarter, before the Tigers responded with four of the next five majors to reduce the margin to 12 points at the main break.

Richmond’s Tom Brown provided the highlight of the first half. He rode on the back of Matt Owies and made a spectacular pass on the wing.

The Tigers got a taste of victory when Balta put them within striking distance early in the third period.

But Fantasia responded with its second major and another goal for McKay, who was awarded a controversial goal after Nic Newman’s pass bounced off the boot, marking the start of Carlton’s match-winning blitz.

The result left Richmond (2-13) in penultimate place on the ladder ahead of an interstate trip to play Fremantle in the next round.