Martin’s on knife edge now

DUSTIN Martin will have to learn to turn the other cheek to the next Nick Robertson who niggles him or risk jeopardising his Brownlow Medal chances.

The brilliant Tigers midfielder ( above) collected a certain three Brownlow votes and $ 2500 in fines out of Sunday’s 31- point victory over the Lions.

He was an unstoppable force on Etihad Stadium but was also sucked into a running battle with Brisbane Lions tagger Robertson.

He is considered the main challenger to Patrick Dangerfield for this year’s medal and Tigers fans’ hearts must have been in their throats when he delivered a swinging left arm to Robertson that left him with a lump above his eye.

It was considered low- impact and high but as he connected with an open hand it was not determined to be a strike.

He remains eligible for the Brownlow but is now walking a tightrope after he was slapped with two fines which means he faces an automatic suspension if he commits a third low- level offence in the last six rounds.

Martin received a $ 1500 fine from the match review panel for making unnecessary contact to the face of Robertson and was also fined $ 1000 for rough conduct against Lewis Taylor in a separate incident.

Robertson came off second best on Sunday and again in yesterday’s review session.

He was offered with a onematch suspension for headbutting Richmond captain Trent Cotchin and was also fined $ 1500 for kneeing Martin.

Melbourne will be without Bernie Vince for two games after the midfielder was rubbed out for striking Adelaide’s Eddie Betts. He also copped a $ 1000 fine for bumping Richard Douglas.