Fans and commentators blast Dayne Zorko after leaving rival player Harrison Petty in tears

The AFL community has blasted Lions skipper Dayne Zorko after an on-field spray left Melbourne player Harrison Petty in tears on Friday night.

AFL fans blasted Lions skipper Dayne Zorko after an on-field spray left Melbourne player Harrison Petty in tears on Friday night.

The fracas with Zorko took place at three quarter time and led Petty to be consoled by his Melbourne teammates, officials and coaches.

Fox Footy Vision from the field showed Petty and Zorko in a confrontation which included shoving, prompting other players and a referee to intervene.

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On Saturday morning, SEN’s Sam Edmund revealed the sledge was “cruel from the Lions captain and centred in on the health of a family member”.

“What has transpired is unbecoming of a captain. These are not the words of a captain of a football club,” respected sports broadcaster Gerard Whateley said, echoing hundreds of similar tweets on the matter on Saturday.

AFL reporter Tom Browne also weighed in after the AFL confirmed it would be investigating the incident.

“It’s an interesting test for the vilification rules (we don’t know what was said), which are broad,” he said.

Wow. Where do you start. That was such a poor performance by Brisbane. And Zorko might be in some strife. Both coaches confirming his incident with Harrison Petty would be investigated by the AFL.

— Michael Whiting (@MichaelWhiting) August 19, 2022

Zorko has no business being captain anymore. The Lions aren’t contending with someone like him leading

— Oliver Caffrey (@ollycaffrey) August 19, 2022

Zorko has for some time looked and played like a fella who is angry that the sight of a game that is about to pass him by.

— Matt Webber (@MattWebberWrite) August 19, 2022

But Melbourne general manager of football Alan Richardson said the AFL was involved but all parties were happy with the state of events.

“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.”

The Demons players went hard at Zorko. Photo: Channel 7

Harrison Petty consoled by his teammates and coaches. Photo: Channel 7

Zorko also released a statement addressing the issue on Saturday.

“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.”

Melbourne senior coach Simon Goodwin told reporters after the match the hurtful comments were indeed about a close family member of Petty’s.

“Petts thought he heard something inappropriate about a family member he was a bit upset about it,” he said.

“Brisbane have spoken to us and obviously the AFL will look at it.”

Dayne Zorko has been raked over the coals for his comments. Photo Instagram, Channel 7 and Getty Images

Fellow Demons defender Steven May put his arm around Petty who was also seen talking to Mark Williams, Troy Chaplin and Goodwin.

“Petts was a bit emotional at three quarter-time. He went away, reset himself and came back into the game,” said Goodwin.

“Brisbane have been quite apologetic towards us and that’s the type of footy club they are. They’re a very respected humble footy club and we’ll taken them on their word.”

Originally published as Fans and commentators blast Dayne Zorko after leaving rival player Harrison Petty in tears