Dusty hit with fine, no ban

DUSTIN Martin remains eligible to win the Brownlow Medal after avoiding suspension for striking Brisbane’s Nick Robertson.

But the Tigers superstar is walking a tightrope for the rest of the season after the match review panel handed him two fines for separate incidents on Sunday against Brisbane.

A third low-level offence would trigger a one-game suspension, leaving Martin ineligible to win his first Brownlow.

The MRP yesterday offered Martin a $1500 fine for hitting Robertson in the face, deeming the contact “unreasonable and unnecessary” but adding it had been made with an open hand.

Martin was also offered a $1000 fine for rough conduct on Lewis Taylor.

Robertson, who niggled Martin throughout the clash, copped a $1500 fine for kneeing him in the leg. The Lions agitator can also accept a onematch ban for headbutting Tigers captain Trent Cotchin.

Martin’s electrifying form has him neck-and-neck in the Brownlow race with Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield.

Melbourne veteran Bernie Vince faces a two-game suspension for elbowing Adelaide’s Eddie Betts on Saturday night in Darwin.

The incident was classified as intentional conduct with low impact to the head, but the sanction was inflated by Vince’s bad record, including a suspension earlier in the year.

The former Crow risks a three-game ban if he challenges. Vince was also offered a $1000 fine for a headhigh bump on Richard Douglas.

Crows skipper Taylor Walker can accept a $1000 fine for striking Jordan Lewis, as can Port Adelaide’s Jackson Trengove for striking the Kangaroos’ Scott Thompson.