The footage, which is believed to be up to five years old, shows Martin grabbing the woman’s breast from behind before walking away.
“We have become aware of a video posted on social media. We are seeking further information,” an AFL spokesperson said on Wednesday afternoon.
Surfacing on the eve of the Tigers’ do-or-die elimination final against Brisbane, the video of Martin, who has been recalled to the team for his first match since suffering a hamstring injury in Round 16, is far from ideal for the club.
Coach Damien Hardwick declined to comment when asked about the video in his Wednesday press conference.
“I’m not too sure,” he said.
The incident is the latest off-field controversy to cloud the three-time Norm Smith Medallist’s career, which include threatening a woman with a chopstick at a Japanese restaurant in 2015.
Martin comes into the Tigers’ elimination final 22 at the expense of veteran Shane Edwards, with the 302-gamer and triple premiership hero a surprise omission.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Lions lock in rare finals debut for young gun
Brisbane will roll the dice on 2021 first-round draftee Darcy Wilmot in a bombshell selection call ahead of their elimination final clash with Richmond.
The 18-year old, who was the youngest player in last year’s draft pool, will become just the third player in nearly 30 years to play his first game in a final, and the first since Tiger Marlion Pickett famously made his debut in the 2019 grand final.
Wilmot has impressed throughout the season at half-back in the Lions’ VFL team, and a suspension to Noah Answerth has seen him win a spot in the 22 over regular Callum Ah Chee, who missed the last two matches of the home-and-away season due to a concussion suffered in a controversial collision with Carlton’s Patrick Cripps.
Lions captain Dayne Zorko has praised the young gun, telling 3AW Wilmot is the ‘perfect kid’ to be able to handle the heat of September action.
“You’re going to see some exciting things from him tonight, no doubt about that,” Zorko told Laurel, Gary & Mark on Thursday morning.
“It will be hot and frantic and mistakes will be made but he’s the perfect kid to come out and make his debut tonight.
“He’s a guy who won’t worry about what’s happened in the past, he just purely stays in the now.”
Wilmot had been expected to debut in the Lions’ Round 17 clash with Essendon before being caught in the club’s COVID-19 outbreak.
The youngster has already established himself as a colourful personality, lighting up last year’s draft night with a hilarious interview with Fox Footy.