'Pathetic': AFL world seethes over Rhyan Mansell 'dog act'

Richmond youngster Rhyan Mansell has faced the wrath of footy fans after an ugly incident in his side's 27-point victory over Collingwood.

In a match that saw Tigers superstar Dustin Martin make his long-awaited return, Richmond improved their record to 4-4 to jump back inside the top-eight, courtesy of a 17.11 (113) to 12.14 (86) win.

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However, the victory was somewhat overshadowed by a moment involving Mansell on Pies' young gun Jack Ginnivan late in the third quarter.

Mansell appeared to strike his opponent twice with his forearm as Ginnivan lay on the ground amid a cluster of players.

“A double forearm to the back of the head,” Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy.

“He’ll cop a fine or a week for that – probably a fine because it was low impact. But maybe there could be an option to pay a free kick after the siren.”

St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt added: “We could hear the Collingwood players asking the umpires, ‘Why is that not a free kick?’ And the umpire said, ‘It’s after the siren, we wish we could pay a free kick but we can’t’.

“Amazing scenes at three quarter-time. Clearly you would expect if it was in general play Mansell would’ve been done for two free kicks. But because it was after the siren, the umpires were powerless to do anything about it, other than potentially report the player.

“Mansell comes over the top with the one elbow, goes again a second time – which is pretty poor form.”

The ugly incident - which will likely attract attention from the match review officer - was labelled as "cowardly" and a "dog act" by fans on social media.

Ginnivan, who was reportedly spoken to by the Magpies' hierarchy after a drinking session after his Anzac Day heroics, was fairly quiet but still managed to slot three goals and frustrate the opposition and their supporters.

However, it was a six-goal display from Richmond's Tom Lynch that stole the show and much of the limelight off the returning Martin.

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'Dusty' gathered 23 possessions in his first game since round one, when he stepped away from football to deal with personal issues after the death of his father Shane.

The three-time Norm Smith medallist was mobbed by every one of his Richmond teammates when he slotted his first goal early in the third quarter.

Martin's 293rd career major extended the Tigers' lead to 30 points, setting them on their way to a comfortable 17.11 (113) to 12.14 (86) triumph in front of 64,481 fans at the MCG.

After snapping his second goal midway through the last quarter, the Richmond faithful started chanting "Dusty" to rubber-stamp the comeback of one of the AFL's modern greats.

"It was great to see him back and I think the fans and the AFL in general were pleased to see him step on the ground," Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

"It was a pretty touching moment when the whole side got to him and I'd say there were a few misty eyes in the coaches box and the down below as well.

"It was a nice moment to get some reward for the hard work he's put in himself.

"He got through and he'll get better again next week which is exciting.

"He brings enormous spirit to our footy club."

Martin played mainly as a forward, working in tandem with Lynch as the former Gold Coast co-captain produced one of the best games of his 12-year career.

The Tigers full-forward had a first half to remember, kicking five goals, taking eight marks and collecting 18 possessions to be the most influential player on the ground.

Lynch had a career-high 25 touches and finished the match with 6.1, backing up his seven-goal haul against hapless West Coast last week.

In a rare highlight for Collingwood, Will Hoskin-Elliott brought down a mark-of-the-year contender late in the match.

Richmond will be gunning for a third-straight win when they meet Hawthorn at the MCG next Saturday, while Collingwood's next assignment is a clash with the Western Bulldogs on Friday night.

with AAP

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