Star Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin. Credit:Joe Armao JAA The latest misdemeanour took place after the Tigers’ loss to Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday. The club is denying the pair had gone on a drinking binge, but the behaviour incurred the wrath of the club’s leadership group and administration. The Tigers' website said Connors and Martin missed training yesterday morning as a result of taking sleeping medication on Monday night. ''Daniel has failed to meet club expectations on a number of occasions and this latest incident can't be considered in isolation,'' general manager of football Craig Cameron said. ''While Connors, who is on prescribed sleeping medication, was not drinking alcohol, he had, by his own admission, failed to uphold the standards set by the club in missing the training session,'' the website said.

''As a result, he has decided to walk away from the club and focus on the next phase of his life.'' ''Dustin [also] understands that missing training is unacceptable,'' he said. Martin, who spent Monday night with Connors, admitted to the club he had been drinking, but not excessively, and chose to also take the strong sleeping medication prescribed for Connors, despite it not being prescribed for him. The devastated midfielder, taken at No. 3 in the 2009 national draft and third in the Tigers’ best and fairest last season, was reportedly shattered when told of his suspension. He will miss games against Melbourne on Saturday and Gold Coast the following weekend. The decision was made in consultation with club CEO Brendon Gale, football boss Craig Cameron and the leadership group.



The club had previously managed to keep a tight lid on the talented 21-year-old’s off-field behaviour.

While the incident is Martin’s first official off-field transgression, his behaviour has been a cause for concern for Richmond for some time.

In his first year with the club, the Tigers moved to contain his lifestyle, moving him into the home of club president Gary March. Connors, who lived with teammate Shane Edwards, is a frequent visitor to March’s home.

March is currently overseas and unavailable for comment. Connors did not argue with Richmond’s decision to sack him, while Martin expressed remorse after mixing alcohol with sleeping pills provided by a friend.

The pair was at a friend’s house on Monday night, where they played pool before heading to Connors’ house. Cameron said Connors did not consume alcohol while Martin had a couple of drinks - bourbon and coke - before taking the sleeping medication. ‘‘I can’t say that he argued for his position. We didn’t have a conversation where he came and pleaded his case,’’ Cameron told a press conference at Punt Road Oval, adding that there had been no other indiscretions from Connors.

‘‘It was well documented then that this was the last chance, that if there was another indiscretion that was it,’’ he said.

‘‘Daniel is a talented footballer and he has some things he needs to sort out. We will continue to support him as much as we can.. It’s important for Daniel that he gets himself back on track.’’ Cameron said the club was disappointed that Martin failed to seek medical advice from the Tigers’ doctor before taking the tablets. ‘‘He took them because he said he couldn’t sleep,’’ Cameron said. ‘‘Dustin got sleeping tablets, our understanding is from a friend [other than Connors]. It’s disappointing that Dustin has used prescription medication without seeking advice from a club doctor and we are counselling him. ‘‘Dustin is very remorseful.’’ Loading

Cameron was adamant no illicit drugs were involved and attending training was a non-negotiable part of upholding the club’s standards.



- with Chloe Saltau