Former Richmond great Kevin Bartlett has called for star AFL midfielder Dustin Martin to be suspended for 12 months for making drunken threats to a woman.

Ex-Tigers star and former coach Bartlett described the AFL club’s response to the incident in a Melbourne restaurant as “pathetic”.

Speaking on his SEN radio show on Tuesday, Bartlett said there needed to be a stronger response from the club and the AFL.

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Martin was asked to leave a restaurant on Saturday night after a confrontation with a female patron, who alleged he stood over her and threatened to stab her in the face with a chopstick.

On Monday, the club released a statement confirming Martin had apologised to the woman and restaurant management and the Tigers’ hierarchy would decide on a suitable punishment.

Bartlett said the club needed to make a stance.

“Not one word that violence against women is totally unacceptable,” he said.

“And this is at an AFL club that has the first and only female president.

“I think Dan Richardson (football manager) will regret saying this is a hiccup, this is a bit more than a hiccup.

“It’s hard to imagine a more serious allegation.

“A 12-month suspension and a $50,000 donation to an appropriate women’s organisation seems a realistic and fair conclusion for the club, the AFL and the image of the game.”