AFL legend Leigh Matthews has criticised North Melbourne coach Brad Scott for approaching Tom Rockliff in the emotion-charged aftermath of the match against Brisbane.
As Lions players celebrated their shock four-point win over the Kangaroos, Rockliff mouthed off at North veteran Brent Harvey.
The `Roos star was clearly angered and sought out Rockliff a few seconds later to shake his hand, but also to let the Brisbane opponent know he was not impressed.
Then Scott also had words with Rockliff as they waited on the ground for a post-match presentation to retired Lions great Jonathan Brown.
It was a massive night for the Lions as they sent off Brown with the win.
“Yeah, Tom Rockliff was a bit cheeky, Boomer made an issue (of it) and that’s fine,” Matthews told Channel Seven’s Game Day.
“But five minutes later, I don’t think it was Brad’s call to have any interaction with an opposition player.
“I think that’s a big mistake.”
Matthews, now a Lions board member, coached Scott during Brisbane’s great era of three premierships in 2001-03.
Scott told Channel Nine’s Footy Show: “I can guarantee you, no harsh words were exchanged – there is no animosity between myself and Tom Rockliff.”
After speaking to Rockliff, Scott then went over and had a word with Lions coach Justin Leppitsch.
Scott said he did not talk to Leppitsch about Rockliff.
Rockliff and Harvey are well-known for being lippy with opposition players during matches.
But Rockliff conceded he broke an unwritten law by going on with it after the final siren.
“Obviously I will follow up with Boomer,” Rockliff told The Footy Show.
“It was spur of the moment – there were words exchanged between us all night and it was just more the emotion of the win.
“I don’t think I went too far, it was probably just more after the siren.
“Once the final siren goes, you shake hands and move on – it was probably just the timing.”
Rockliff would not repeat what he said to Harvey or what Scott said to him.
Asked he took any offence from Scott approaching him, Rockliff said “yes and no”.
“Brad wears his heart on his sleeve and that’s his call.
“That’s just the way it goes sometimes.
“As I said, the emotion can get the better of people.”
Rockliff insists his initial comment to Harvey did not break any vilification rules.
Sir Ossis
Guest
I remember the charming Brad Scott as a player and for him, as a coach, to mouth off to an opposition player about "humble in victory and gracious in defeat" is breathtaking hypocricy. Rockliff was entitled to tell him to nick off and maybe 'brace' him in the face. That could have got ugly. A fine was required here.
Don Freo
Guest
One day Harvey and Scott will clash with each other after running out of people to blame...so they'll turn on each other. I love Scotty's persona on TV whenever he is winning but he really ought to view all of his reactions when things don't go well. Embarrassing. Harvey can still play but he seems to demand some kind of "elder statesman" respect while giving so much verbal to others. Until he understands that it goes two ways, he doesn't deserve that kind of respect. Just accept it...that's what big boys do!
Bosk
Guest
It's pretty widely acknowledged among neutral supporters that the Scott sisters (err.. brothers) are two of biggest serial sooks in football. If they aren't blaming the roof they're blaming the umpires, blaming opposition players for bending the rules, blaming the AFL, or just blaming anyone but themselves. In my view both are also pretty average coaches. Brad has done nothing with a Norf list that was trumpeted by many supposed experts as top 4 material at the start of the year, and Chris's shortcomings are slowly being exposed as the remnants of the list Bomber Thompson assembled for him retire by degrees. That said it'll be a shame when these two decidedly ordinary blokes are forced out of the game since both give us so much entertainment with their non-stop coaching box tantrums and sulky post-match pressers. It's been said that the game needs its lovable characters (or at least laughable characters) to keep the mugs in the cheap seats happy, and the Scott sisters certainly are that!
delbeato
Roar Guru
Banter is part of the game, but before and during it, not after. After, it's more personal. Tom seems to have conceded that. That doesn't necessarily justify Scott's actions, but I can see the issue.
ShmaxShmillas
Roar Rookie
Case shut. If Scott even wanted a chat, on the field literally seconds before Browny's speech was not the time. Boomer feels he has a right to be respected but at the end of the day he's just another player on the field giving lip so you're going to get as good as you give.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
It's interesting that Brad Scott is saying as two adults it is fine having a conversation with Rockliff after the game. But what is the problem with the issue staying between two adults in Rockliff & Harvey? Harvey & B. Scott are surely the two of the most precious individuals in the game.
Radelaide
Guest
Scott shouldn't have said anything and just left it to the players but in Tom's defence Harvey had been quite lippy to the Lions youngsters during the game and Tom was just standing up for them.