Richmond player Daniel Connors and the Club have mutually agreed to part ways, while Dustin Martin has been suspended for two matches, after the pair missed training on Tuesday morning, as a result of taking sleeping medication the night before.

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 by missing the training session.

As a result, he has decided to walk away from the Club and focus on the next phase of his life.

“We have set a standard as a football club and there is a clear expectation that our players meet that standard.  Adhering to training requirements is not negotiable,” said Richmond’s General Manager of Football, Craig Cameron.

“Daniel has failed to meet Club expectations on a number of occasions and this latest incident can’t be considered in isolation. 

“Both Richmond Football Club and the AFL Players Association have fully supported Daniel as he has worked through some well-documented issues, and we will continue to work with him while he focuses on his well-being.”

Martin consumed alcohol on Monday night, and also took non-prescribed sleeping medication, before missing the Tuesday morning training session.

Cameron said Martin was extremely remorseful for his actions.

“Dustin understands that missing training is simply unacceptable,” he said.

“We want to send a strong message that we don’t accept this sort of behaviour and Dustin is now fully aware of this.”

“More broadly, our medical staff will continue to educate our entire playing group and emphasise that prescribed medication needs to be taken as directed, and the significant dangers associated with not doing so.”