Brisbane Lions stalwart Dayne Zorko says Charlie Cameron should not be punished for tackle on Eagles defender

A Brisbane stalwart says Lions forward Charlie Cameron should not be suspended for a tackle that led to a West Coast Eagles defender being concussed.

Eagles defender Liam Duggan (bottom) is tackled by Lions star Charlie Cameron. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lions veteran Dayne Zorko is adamant his Brisbane teammate Charlie Cameron should not have a case to answer for his driving tackle on Liam Duggan that resulted in the West Coast Eagles defender being concussed.

Cameron has been hit with a three-match ban from the match review officer (MRO) following the incident in the second quarter of Brisbane’s 13-point win at Optus Stadium on Sunday, with Duggan having to leave the field after the back of his head smashed into the turf.

However, Zorko said “there was nothing in it”.

“He’s just laid a tackle – I don’t know what else he’s supposed to do,” the former Lions captain told the SENQ Breakfast show

“(From) the angles that I’ve seen, it looks pretty clear that there’s no intent and no malice in it.

“He’s just simply laid a tackle and unfortunately, due to the ferocity of it, he (Duggan) bumped his head.”

However, the MRO graded the incident “careless, severe impact and high contact”, leading to a three-week ban.

It means Cameron will miss Brisbane’s battle with AFL leaders Sydney this Sunday at the Gabba, as well as games against Gold Coast (July 27) and St Kilda (August 4).

On the back of six successive wins, the Lions have jumped into the top four.

Charlie Cameron (right) and Lions coach Chris Fagan celebrate after Brisbane’s win over the Eagles. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

However, Zorko said his side would get a “good indication” of its premiership credentials against the Swans, who are 12 points clear at the top of the ladder.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge. It’s a great opportunity for us to test ourselves against the absolute benchmark of the competition,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to challenge ourselves and see what we’ve learnt over the past not just six weeks but the majority of the season.

“We’ll get a really good indication on the weekend as to where we’re at. Hopefully, it’s a good indication.

“They’ve been the hottest team in the competition all year, and whenever they’ve been challenged in games, their ability to score quickly is second to none.”

Zorko said Brisbane’s “mindset” had “shifted significantly”.

“That’s been the biggest improvement, not giving up on plays when you know you might just be out of reach – blokes really putting in the extra yards,” he said in explaining reasons for the Lions’ form revival after a slow start the season.

“When you see players doing that in your team, it inspires you to do it as well, and collectively as a whole team, we’re working really well together … (but) the job’s nowhere near done yet and we’re fully aware of that.”

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Originally published as Brisbane Lions stalwart Dayne Zorko says Charlie Cameron should not be punished for tackle on Eagles defender