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A sledge from Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko, which left Melbourne defender Harrison Petty in tears, has overshadowed the Demons’ 58-point AFL win over the Lions at the Gabba.
Petty had to spend time off the field after breaking down during the three-quarter break as the Demons moved into the box seat for a top-two finish with a dominant 18.7 (115) to 8.9 (57) victory.
Zorko was confronted by several Demons after the final siren before having a long discussion with Petty on the field.
The AFL have confirmed they will not be investigating the matter further, with Melbourne keen to have Petty’s privacy respected.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin confirmed 22-year-old Petty had heard something personal said about a family member and the Lions had been “apologetic” towards the Demons about the incident.
“Obviously, Petts thought he heard something inappropriate about a family member, he was a bit upset about it,” Goodwin said.
“The Lions have spoken to us and obviously the AFL will look at it, but that’s pretty much the details we can give at the moment.
“Brisbane have been quite apologetic towards us, and that’s the type of footy club they are … we’ll take them at their word.”
Lions coach Chris Fagan said he was unaware of the exact nature of the incident but admitted he’d be disappointed if his captain had overstepped the mark.
“It would concern me that any of our players got caught up in an incident like that, but I won’t judge just yet because I don’t know enough about it,” Fagan said.
Petty was consoled at the time by teammate Steven May who said: “I don’t know exactly what was said, but Petts wasn’t like he normally is. He’s a tough country boy if you know him, not much rattles him.
“I had a chat to Zorko at the end and told him whatever you said, you crossed the line. He was pretty remorseful but he told me he didn’t say it, I think there was a misunderstanding.
“There’s a line that you don’t cross on-field.”
Asked about the incident Demons skipper Max Gawn told Channel 7: “I wasn’t there. There was a few words. All I saw was my teammate in tears.
“It got us going a little bit and we all wanted to come out in that last quarter, but there’s plenty of big fish to fry in the next few weeks.
“I think they sorted it out, there were a few handshakes so hopefully all is well.”
The Lions released a statement on Saturday morning, with Zorko apologising for the incident.
“Zorko has been counselled by Lions senior management including CEO Greg Swann, Chairman Andrew Wellington, Senior Coach Chris Fagan and General Manager Football Danny Daly,” the statement reads.
“Zorko admits he acted inappropriately in comments made to Harrison Petty and is committed to controlling his emotions for the better of himself and the Club.
““I have apologised to Harrison for the inappropriate comment I made to him last night,” he said.
““I’m remorseful for my actions and take full responsibility for the hurt caused to Harrison, his family and the Melbourne Football Club.
““In reflection, I understand I need to be a better leader, and have spoken with the Club who have reinforced this.”
“The Brisbane Lions have also extended an apology to Harrison and the Melbourne Football Club.
“The Club thanks Melbourne for their cooperation and for working together to resolve the issue.”
The incident stole the attention away from a magnificent Demons’ display as they battered Brisbane with a free-scoring first half.
In-form Kysaiah Pickett kicked four goals, while Bayley Fritsch also scored four, with Ben Brown booting three majors.
Christian Petracca dominated with a game-high 10 score involvements as well as 23 disposals, five inside 50s and two goals while Clayton Oliver (30 disposals) and Angus Brayshaw (27 touches) were also highly influential.
There was a late concern for the Demons, however, with Luke Jackson subbed out in the final term with a corked calf but Goodwin was confident it wouldn’t be a concern for finals.
Joe Daniher and Hugh McCluggage kicked two goals each for the Lions while Lachie Neale was valiant in defeat with 29 disposals, six tackles and four clearances.
Adding to Brisbane’s woes, Cam Rayner was placed on report in the first quarter for a sling tackle on Brown which left the Demon needing treatment for a bloodied nose.
Midfielder Jarrod Berry was also subbed out in the final quarter after succumbing to an ankle injury picked up earlier in the match.
In front of a sellout Friday night crowd of 32,172, the Demons set the template when Pickett kicked his first goal just 20 seconds into the match.
Melbourne had three goals on the board and were 20 points clear when a Daniher long bomb finally got the hosts on the board 13 minutes in.
Down by 31 at the first turn, Brisbane kicked the first goal of the second quarter through Dan McStay but from there it was all one-way traffic as the Demons kicked seven unanswered goals.
The fortunes of the two teams were highlighted when a hopeful kick by Petracca took a wicked bounce over a Lions defender and over the goal-line in the rout.
By halftime the Demons had charged to an unassailable 66-point advantage.
Melbourne’s 13.3 scoreline was the highest conceded at halftime by the Lions at the Gabba since Geelong’s 15.6 on their way to an 85-point win in round 16, 2017.
© AAP
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