Did Dustin Martin act like a SPOILED BRAT by blanking a reporter? One AFL legend says yes

Debate is raging among AFL figures after Richmond superstar Dustin Martin publicly blanked a leading footy journalist in Melbourne.

Martin, 31, was going for scans on his injured hamstring earlier this week when Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary approached him on the street and asked for an update on camera.

The three-time Norm Smith medallist, who doesn’t hide his displeasure at the media, walked straight past the reporter and cameraman without offering a response.

Port Adelaide premiership-winner turned media identity Kane Cornes labelled Martin’s conduct ‘petulant’, but the champion midfielder had a high-profile supporter in ex-Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.

‘You’ve got the game’s biggest star refusing to talk to basically Channel 7’s number one footy reporter, the host broadcaster, and looking at him (Cleary) with genuine disdain and completely ignoring him,’ Cornes fumed on SEN SA.

Former AFL star turned media identity Kane Cornes (pictured) labelled Martin’s conduct ‘petulant’

One time Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley disagreed, feeling Channel 7 reporter Mitch Cleary invaded Martin’s personal space

‘There is a level of respect on how to treat people. A lot of footy fans don’t rate the media and a lot of players don’t too, but I think it’s more about how you treat people.’

Cornes later added Martin’s behaviour had a ‘real arrogance about it’ and pointed out it isn’t hard to just say, ‘Hey Mitch, I’m not sure mate, we’ll find out later in the week’ in terms of his scan reading.

Magpies great Buckley disagreed, tweeting the 7 News piece ‘got what it deserved’.

‘No comment? Nothing to add to the story? Then what was the purpose of running the vision,’ he said in his post.

‘Door stopping is the height of disrespect. It violates personal and private space and is no fun for the journos asked to do it, nor for the targets.

‘It got the treatment it deserves.’

Cleary fired back in a Twitter response, stating ‘Dusty is 100-1 to stop (and talk) but it doesn’t mean 100-1 winners don’t ever get up.’

Earlier this week, rumours were swirling Martin was sensationally poised to quit Richmond and link up with the Sydney Swans for 2023 and beyond.

If the game’s biggest name joins the Bloods, he would play alongside fellow superstar Buddy Franklin in a promoter’s dream.

Martin made his debut for the Tigers in 2010 and has won three premierships in a glittering career.