Brisbane Lions captain Dayne Zorko says he “overstepped the mark” with a comment he made to Melbourne’s Harrison Petty, but claims it was not an “unprovoked sledge”.
Key points:
- Zorko claims he and Petty exchanged words throughout the match
- Petty was visibly upset following the incident
- Zorko says he remains remorseful for the comment he made
Zorko allegedly made a comment about a family member of Petty’s during the Demons’ 58-point win over the Lions at the Gabba last Friday night.
The Lions did not sanction Zorko, who said he apologised to Petty — who was visibly upset following the incident — after the final siren.
Zorko also apologised to Petty and his family via a Lions media statement on Saturday.
He said he and Petty exchanged words “for the majority” of the match.
“My remorse still stands. If I could take it back, there’s no doubt I would,” Zorko told SEN radio.
“I just wanted to get across that it was an intense game. From the first bounce there was to-ing and fro-ing from both sides of the fence.
“Players across the field stepped up to the line all game, and I acknowledge that I certainly crossed that.
“I just reckon it’s really important that Lions fans and fans in general understand that it wasn’t just an unprovoked sledge, and it wasn’t said in isolation.
“As I said, it was to-ing and fro-ing for the majority of the game and remorsefully I accept that I’ve overstepped the mark.”
Zorko said he needed to learn from the incident.
“Moving forward I just need to be better, there’s no doubt about that, [I need to] use this as an educational piece for me,” he said.
“The last few days hasn’t been easy for myself nor my family, I’m really sorry for them as well, but obviously understanding that on the other side of the fence it would’ve been just as hard for Harrison Petty and his family.
“So I apologise to them for that as well.”
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
