Chris Fagan supports former captain Dayne Zorko over Touk Miller’s controversial suspension

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan made his feelings on the controversy involving his veteran star Dayne Zorko very clear on Friday.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has moved on from the Dayne Zorko controversy. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has refused to give “any oxygen” to the incident between Dayne Zorko and Touk Miller that resulted in a one-match ban for the Gold Coast co-captain, adamant he fully supports his former skipper.

After being cleared by the match review officer, Miller was banned for conduct unbecoming after an AFL investigation sparked by a comment from Zorko about the incident in which he felt his Gold Coast opponent made contact with his groin region.

The Suns were fuming Miller was banned so late in the week, but Fagan was keen to distance himself from the controversial suspension and the involvement of Zorko, who made a public complaint on radio on Monday.

“I’m not going to give that issue any oxygen whatsoever,” Fagan said as his side flew out for Sunday’s clash with Fremantle.

“That’s been dealt with, and we move on.

“I haven’t got involved too much in it other than to support Dayne.

“I’m not going to add any more fuel to it. The decision’s been made, so let’s move on.”

Touk Miller has receiving a one-match ban for making contact with the groin region of Dayne Zorko in a manner that caused pain and discomfort and ultimately constituted conduct unbecoming in breach of AFL Rule 2.3(a).

Full details: https://t.co/h7m37in09fpic.twitter.com/hmIIuAgwms

— AFL (@AFL) August 3, 2023

On Friday morning Zorko, who hasn’t spoken to Miller since the incident, also said he wanted to move on.

“I’m happy to put it past me now. It was a difficult week but the support from the club and the AFL in whole has been amazing,” he said.

The disruption was a rare one this season for the Lions who sit in third spot ahead of clash with the Dockers where a win could lock in a top-four berth.

That is the only finishing position Fagan is focusing on too despite a raft of winnable games at the end of the season that could help the Lions push for a spot in the top two.

“The main job in any football season is to a) make the finals and b) finish as high as you can,” he said.

“That’s all we’re trying to do.

“If we finish third or fourth, so be it. It’s not a stress to us because if you think about it, all you do is set yourself up for failure if you don’t finish in the top two.

“Where’s the logic in that? There’s none.”

Brisbane will be boosted by the return of dynamic midfielder Zac Bailey from a calf injury, while Darcy Fort has been named as cover for injured ruckman Oscar McInerney.