‘Disgusting’: Dayne Zorko sledging scandal turned on its head

There has been a call for the AFL to re-open an investigation into the Dayne Zorko scandal with the things said to him being revealed.

There has been a call for the AFL to re-open its investigation into the Dayne Zorko sledging scandal with revelations about “disgusting” things said to provoke him

The Brisbane Lions captain on Wednesday publicly addressed his on-field sledge of Melbourne’s Harrison Petty, suggesting it wasn’t unprovoked.

And just hours later it was revealed by veteran journalist Caroline Wilson that “disgusting” things were said to him by at least one Demons player.

The AFL community was left in shock last Friday night when the Demons’ win over Brisbane was marred by the distressing scenes of Petty in tears at three-quarter time.

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Zorko said sorry to Petty straight after the game and the Demons defender accepted his apology.

The Lions have not punished Zorko, with both Melbourne and Brisbane keen to move on from the ugly incident.

Wilson reported on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night that both clubs and the AFL were happy to move on from the incident without any disciplinary action being taken because both teams had acted in an unsavoury manner.

Wilson said the AFL should consider investigating what was said to Zorko as she revealed one comment made was of a personal nature about the women in the 34-year-old’s life.

“I’m told that some of the stuff said to Zorko — and he gives as good as he gets, he’s a famous sledger — was pretty disgusting,” she said.

“If you were going to investigate what was said, you’d be more investigating what was said to Zorko about women in his life [that was] far worse than what was said to Petty.”

She said the AFL was “very happy” for the scandal to simply “go away”.

“The AFL got involved and dropped this case like a hot potato by the weekend,” Wilson said. “Melbourne were very, very keen for it to go away as well and both clubs said they were happy with the way it was handled. There was a big call from within some media circles to go on with it.

“It was a terrible thing to say, but I don’t think there was any personal issue with Petty and his mother. It was just a terrible thing to say.”

Harrison Petty seen upset after he was sledged by Lions Dayne Zorko. Screen grabs Channel 7

She said comments made by Demons ruckman Max Gawn days after the incident were out of line because both clubs had crossed the line.

Gawn said this week Zorko’s sledge was “the first time I have heard anything that deep”.

Wilson said in response: “Max is right he (Zorko) crossed the line, but the Melbourne players crossed the line too.

“What was said was pretty disgusting and let’s not think Dayne Zorko is one out on this.”

Speaking on Melbourne radio on Wednesday, Zorko reiterated his apology, albeit with a caveat.

“I apologised to Harrison on the final siren and obviously that apology still stands,” Zorko told SEN’s The Run Home.

“My remorse still stands. If I could take it back, there’s no doubt I would.”

Zorko acknowledged he crossed the line but explained the game between the Demons and Lions was a fiery encounter.

“I just wanted to get across that it was an intense game,” he continued.

“From the first bounce there was to-ing and fro-ing from both sides of the fence. Players across the field stepped up to the line all game, and I acknowledge that I certainly crossed that.

Harrison Petty seen upset after he was sledged by Lions Dayne Zorko says his sledge wasn’t unprovoked. Photo: Channel 7

“I just reckon it’s really important that Lions fans and fans in general understand that it wasn’t just an unprovoked sledge, and it wasn’t in isolation. As I said, it was to-ing and fro-ing for the majority of the game and remorsefully I accept that I’ve overstepped the mark.

“I thought it was really important that I came out and said something and that people understood that.

“Through the heat of battle words are said and for me, in this case, I overstepped the mark.

“Moving forward I need to learn from this and potentially the whole industry can learn from this and understand sledging can have serious effects on people and we need to be extremely careful in the way we do it.”

Zorko conceded he needed “to be better”, adding the saga should serve as a lesson for the broader AFL community.

“I’m not sure sledging will ever go out of the game ... but it’s important you don’t cross the line like I did,” he said.

“Moving forward I just need to be better and use this as an educational piece for me.

“The last few days haven’t been easy for myself or my family, which I’m really sorry for, but obviously understanding that on the other side of the fence it would’ve been hard for Harrison Petty and his family as well.”

Zorko apologised to Petty after the game. Photo: Channel 7

There have been persistent calls for Zorko to be stripped of the Lions’ captaincy, while the footy world has been astonished he hasn’t been penalised by Brisbane or the AFL.

Commentators urged the AFL to suspend Zorko but he is free to play in Brisbane’s elimination final against Richmond next Thursday.

“I have had extremely long conversations with the club hierarchy and they have heard both sides of the story,” Zorko said.

“The captaincy is something that is really important to me and like every year that will be decided over the pre-season.

“As a leader and a player I just need to be better. The last few days haven’t been easy for me or my family which I am really remorseful for but I understand it was very hurtful for “Harrison Petty and his family which I am sorry for.

“To my knowledge I didn’t think the AFL would get involved. I apologised post match and both clubs were satisfied with where things were at.

“I think with both parties and the AFLPA there has been a lot of apologies. Harrison accepted my apology post match and I know through different channels there has been further discussions.”