UPDATE
The Brisbane Lions have released a statement confirming the incident between Dayne Zorko and Harrison Petty has been investigated by the club.
The Lions said Zorko has been “counselled” by senior figures including the club CEO and chairman, while the Brisbane captain has also released a public apology.
“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 Club has released a statement following an incident between Dayne Zorko and Harrison Petty. https://t.co/loSfLqJfiC
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 20, 2022
EARLIER
Brisbane Lions captain Dayne Zorko allegedly targeted a member of Melbourne defender Harrison Petty’s family with a three-quarter time sledge on Friday night.
Petty was left in tears and needed to be consoled by coaches and teammates during the final break in Melbourne’s 58-point Round 23 win over Brisbane.
SEN’s Sam Edmund provided clarity over the reported sledge.
Harrison Petty was emotional at 3QT - hopefully, everything is okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/O7Mbjcz90R
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 19, 2022
“Dayne Zorko’s comments to Harrison Petty, they were cruel from the Lions captain and centred in on the health of a family member,” Edmund told SEN’s Crunch Time.
Speaking on Saturday morning, Melbourne GM of football Alan Richardson said he’d had an unofficial discussion with Brisbane coach Chris Fagan on the morning after the game.
He praised the Lions for their apology and reaction to Zorko’s comments, while also confirming he’d communicated with the AFL.
“Yeah, they are (involved). I’ve spoken to the AFL, my understanding is they’re pretty comfortable with where it sits,” Richardson said.
“I can’t speak for them but that’s certainly the tone that I got based on the fact that Dayne (Zorko) apologised and Harrison Petty is really comfortable with where it sits.
“As a footy club, we’re comfortable with where it sits now too.
“They’ve been really quite sincere in their apology, that’s not the sort of behaviour they want from their players, they were really impressive yesterday in terms of taking the issue seriously.”
It is understood Zorko apologised to Petty after the game.
Interesting scenes at full-time at the Gabba. pic.twitter.com/fCmPMTuBl7
— 7AFL (@7AFL) August 19, 2022
Steven May and Simon Goodwin also spoke about the incident post-game.
Melbourne has now secured a top four spot for the upcoming finals series, while Brisbane could finish as low as sixth.