While the fallout of Dayne Zorko’s sledge to Melbourne defender Harrison Petty seems complete, should the Brisbane captain escape punishment?
That’s set to become the next line of discussion in a story that dominated headlines over the weekend and threatened to overshadow the final round of the 2022 home and away season.
The Herald Sun’s Mark Robinson reports the sledge was along the lines of: “I hope your mother dies”. In confronting scenes, Petty was left in tears by the comment and needed to be consoled by coaches and players at three-quarter time.
It’s understood the AFL is “comfortable” with how both clubs dealt with the incident, and Melbourne was appreciative of Brisbane’s efforts after the game to apologise as well as Zorko’s statement on Saturday morning.
Melbourne GM of Football Alan Richardson also said Petty was comfortable with how the situation sits.
David King praised the way Melbourne handled the situation, but was less positive on the actions of Brisbane and the AFL Players’ Association.
He called for a change in policy from the Players’ Association
“You’ve got to shift away from that, that’s unacceptable. He’s a recidivist and the players know it,” King told SEN’s Whateley.
“I was probably disappointed Brisbane didn’t make their own statement on this.
“And then, as a secondary action to that, I don’t know why the players don’t have their own code?
“I love Patrick Dangerfield, but if he’s the president of the AFLPA, they should be calling out one of their own and holding him to account for treating one of their own in this fashion.
“Harrison Petty should be looked after as much as anyone.”
King added that the AFL should not be solely responsible for investigating the incident.
“One (player) has broken the code, one is treating their own disrespectfully, that’s not what we want,” the North Melbourne champion continued.
“I think going forward they should look at some (punishment) – they don’t have to suspend their own – but there has to be some sort of sanction for players who disrespect the playing group like this.
“It’s always left to the AFL, and this was awkward for the AFL, it got too hot for the AFL.”
Zorko had been involved in a number of fiery exchanges in Brisbane’s 58-point loss and was on the receiving end of words from Melbourne star Steven May at the final siren.
Brisbane plays Richmond in the opening game of the finals series at the Gabba on Thursday week.