‘Wasn’t unprovoked’: Dayne Zorko breaks silence on infamous sledge

Dayne Zorko has publicly addressed his infamous on-field sledge to Harrison Petty, claiming the personal insult wasn’t unprovoked.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Dayne Zorko of the Lions looks dejected after his team's defeat during the round 23 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and the Melbourne Demons at The Gabba on August 19, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

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

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.

Speaking on Melbourne radio on Wednesday, the 34-year-old 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, claiming his sledge directed towards Petty “wasn’t unprovoked”.

“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.”

Zorko’s attempt at justifying his sledge didn’t go down too well with pundits and AFL fans.

Sports reporter Oliver Caffrey tweeted: “I’m not sure why Dayne Zorko waited until Wednesday evening to speak about last Friday night’s incident, especially if he was going to be as unconvincing as that. It needed to happen at the weekend or not at all.”

The Age’s Dan Brettig said: “After several days to think about it, Zorko goes the “both sides” defence, righto.”

Journalist James Massola added: “This would have to be most piss weak apology I’ve ever read by Dayne Zorko. I’m sorry, but “it wasn’t just an unprovoked sledge”.”

Originally published as ‘Wasn’t unprovoked’: Dayne Zorko breaks silence on infamous sledge