‘That’s not how we act at our club’: AFL star slammed for controversial act

Lions veteran Lincoln McCarthy was slammed after producing a weak effort and then targeting a familiar foe.

Nick Riewoldt, Nathan Buckley and Simon Goodwin have weighed in heavily after Lincoln McCarthy appeared to mock Harrison Petty for crying in Friday night’s AFL semi-final.

During the first half of the Lions’ stirring 13-point win, the Lions forward and the Demons defender came together after McCarthy had failed to take a one-handed attempt at a mark while running back with the flight of the ball.

Petty let him know about, prompting the former Cat to rub his eye in what was seen as a direct shot at the tears Petty shed after copping a personal sledge from Dayne Zorko the last time these teams played.

Riewoldt took the 28-year-old Lions star to task for failing to take the mark and then resorting to an insult.

“You go back with one hand … when the ball’s there, the really important stuff to be won, and you don’t win it and then you want to carry on with the rubbing of the eyes stuff,” Riewoldt told Fox Footy.

“I think when you look at the contest, Brisbane haven’t been as tough as they wanted to be.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Simon Goodwin, Senior Coach of the Demons looks dejected after a loss during the 2022 AFL Second Semi Final match between the Melbourne Demons and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 9, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“McCarthy goes with the rubbing of the eyes, ‘you cried against us last time’ – but I’m saying when the ball’s there to be won, that’s the real test and you failed it.”

“That’s everything they talked against leading into this match,” Nathan Buckley added. “(Coach) Chris Fagan was keen on actions, not words.”

Speaking after the match, Demons coach Simon Goodwin said he hoped McCarthy wasn’t referring to the scandal that marred the round 23 clash between the teams.

“I’d be pretty disappointed if that was the case,” Goodwin said.

“That’s not really our issue. That’s their issue. It’s their footy club. If that’s how they want to act, then it’s up to them. That’s not how we act at our footy club.”

Originally published as ‘That’s not how we act at our club’: AFL star slammed for controversial act