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Former Lions captain staggered over AFL verdict on rival’s ugly act

Former Lions captain Dayne Zorko has been left staggered by the AFL’s response to an action that left his privates bruised.

Zorko and Miller got stuck into each other on the weekend.
Zorko and Miller got stuck into each other on the weekend.

Lions star Dayne Zorko has been left bemused by the AFL’s decision not to take action against Gold Coast rival Touk Miller over an apparent “squirrel grip” incident.

The former Lions captain and Miller on Saturday went at each other with everything they had during the Suns’ upset win in the Q-Clash at Heritage Bank Stadium with the pair clashing around the ball on several occasions.

As reported by NCA NewsWire, Zorko was left reeling and angry after a tackle from Miller slipped low and the Suns star’s hand made contact with the groin of the Lions midfielder.

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Audio from the game revealed Zorko told the umpire, “He just f**king grabbed my nuts!” and on Monday he remained angry there was no penalty and said the AFL had “set a precedent” by not punishing Miller.

“It’s interesting, you’re allowed to grab the groin region now and squeeze it and do whatever you want to it,” Zorko said on SENQ Breakfast.

“So that’s an interesting rule that’s been cleared by the AFL.

Zorko and Miller got stuck into each other on the weekend.
Zorko and Miller got stuck into each other on the weekend.

It’s quite interesting that (he) got off. We had really good evidence to support the case.

“They’ve set the precedent now.”

Zorko and Miller have clashed multiple times over the years in fiery meetings between the two Queensland clubs.

Zorko scoffed on Monday when it was suggested it could have been an accident.

“It’s an accident when they get up and smile and laugh about it, isn’t it?” he said.

“I tell you what, my groin region is quite bruised at the moment. It’s funny how that all happens.”

Dayne Zorko and Touk Miller clash back in 2018.
Dayne Zorko and Touk Miller clash back in 2018.

There was another heated incident between the pair in the middle of the third quarter when Miller wrapped his arms around the Lions star and with force took him to the turf.

The act didn’t sit well with Zorko who remonstrated almost instantly as the two men came face-to-face on the turf.

Teammates eventually separated the two as they exchanged verbal barbs once they got back to their feet.

The two stars first clashed back in 2018 when Zorko refused to shake hands with Miller after the Suns stunned the Lions in round five.

They came to blows later in the season when Zorko got in the face of his rival and berated him while mockingly shoving his hand out for a handshake.

The two once again had to be forcibly separated by teammates.

Zorko was not happy with Miller. Picture: Fox Footy
Zorko was not happy with Miller. Picture: Fox Footy

The Lions skipper admitted after the clash it wasn’t a good look and that he must conduct himself in a better manner.

“It’s important that I conduct myself well out on the field. Unfortunately, at the end of the game I certainly didn’t do that,” Zorko told RSN.

“(I’m) probably I little bit embarrassed with actually what happened but I’ll certainly learn from that.”

Miller got the last laugh on Saturday as he led the charge for the Suns as they claimed their first Q-Clash victory since 2018.

The Suns midfield star collected 29 disposals as they claimed the comfortable 15.6 (96) to 7.13 (55) victory.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/former-lions-captain-staggered-over-afl-verdict-on-rivals-ugly-act/news-story/7046140a5631f314fd969623c0204b08