A reporter has accused Dustin Martin’s manager of shoving him in the back when he asked the AFL star about the model he is rumoured to be dating

The Daily Mail’s Wayne Flower claimed the Richmond midfielder’s manager Ralph Carr objected to him asking “What does your girlfriend think of the gear?” during a promotional event at Bonds Melbourne Central shop on Wednesday.

In his article, Flower wrote that it’d previously been reported Martin was dating model Chontelle Berryman — “a well-placed rumour that both Martin and Berryman shot down in flames”.

In response to Flower’s question, Martin said: “Sorry?”

Seconds after the question, Carr allegedly said “don’t do that” before he gave Flower “a shove in the back”.

“Carr is a high-profile celebrity manager who could pass as a double for Joe Pesci’s character from Goodfellas,” Flower wrote. “(The) mop-headed agent took a step back and denied he had shoved anyone. But shove he did.”

Martin has had a recent resurgence on the field in recent weeks where he’s arguably resumed his mantle as the AFL’s best player in recent weeks.

Martin has elevated his form to a level similar to 2017, when he polled record votes to claim the Brownlow Medal.

Martin, who is ineligible for this year’s award after serving a suspension, had 35 disposals, 13 inside-50s and a goal against the Eagles on the weekend.

“I thought he started to turn the game for us, started to get some really important possession,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.