AFL fans have turned on Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko after he left Melbourne player Harrison Petty in tears at the Gabba.
Petty was visibly emotional during the three-quarter time break, spending some time off the field before returning later in the game in the 58 point win by the Demons over the Lions on Friday.
His absence from the field was sparked after a spat with Zorko who allegedly made a comment to his face about the Melbourne star’s family.
The incident has prompted an investigation by the AFL, an apology from Brisbane Lions and an outpouring of criticism from angry fans condemning Zorko.
‘Really distressing scenes seeing Harrison Petty so emotional on the ground,’ one wrote on Twitter.
‘Good to see the support from the Dees’ coaches at 3QT. Whatever was said shouldn’t ever happen! Zorko and Brisbane need to take some more responsibility here.’
AFL fans have turned on Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko after he left Melbourne player Harrison Petty (pictured) in tears at the Gabba
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is seen comforting his star after the incident at 3QT
The incident has prompted an investigation by the AFL, an apology from Brisbane Lions and an outpouring of criticism from angry fans condemning Zorko
Another added: ‘About last night.. Harrison Petty, we’re right behind you mate… Dayne Zorko, you reap what you sow, hope the media eat you and your disgusting sportsmanship alive’.
Some fans were more blunt on sharing how they felt about Zorko.
‘Dane Zorko is a terrible leader and his bulls*** holds Brisbane back all success they have is in spite of him,’ one wrote.
‘It was weird when they chose him to be captain but to persist when he continues to be grubby and nasty is truly bizarre and it’s a real contrast to Fagan and other club L’.
AFL star Garry Lyon joined in on the pile-on telling commentators on Fox to ‘put Dane Zorko up’.
Petty was comforted by head coach Simon Goodwin and a number of backroom staff, and started the fourth term on the interchange bench as he sought to ‘reset’ himself after the incident.
The Demons rallied around their teammate to storm home to a 58-point victory over their premiership rivals, and after the game Melbourne hardman Steven May was seen fronting up to Zorko – who eventually made a beeline for Petty and the pair were seen shaking hands.
‘I don’t know exactly what was said, but Petts wasn’t like he normally is. He’s a tough country boy if you know him, not much rattles him,’ he told AFL Nation after the match.
‘I had a chat to Zorko at the end and told him whatever you said, you crossed the line. He was pretty remorseful but he told me he didn’t say it, I think there was a misunderstanding.
Harrison Petty with his partner Alice Morgan
‘There’s a line that you don’t cross on-field. For one of my teammates to be upset, it pinched a nerve.’
Melbourne general manager Alan Richardson told Channel 7 of the incident: ‘Petts thought he heard something that was probably over the top in terms of a reference to a member of his family.
‘We actually don’t have all of the information so it would be unfair of me to say anything with respect to Brisbane.
‘I went over to Danny Daly [Brisbane footy manager] at the break to let him know that it happened and if it happened then perhaps they might want to sort it out.’
Goodwin said post-match: ‘Petts thought he heard something inappropriate about a family member he was a bit upset about it.
‘Brisbane have spoken to us and obviously the AFL will look at it. That’s pretty much the details we’ll give at the moment and we’ll just hand it over to the AFL.
After the final siren, Demons star Steven May had words with Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko
Zorko allegedly made a slur about a member of Petty’s family and the pair spoke after the siren
Zorko and Petty shook hands and Max Gawn hopes that the pair can move on after Friday’s win
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says the AFL will investigate Friday’s incident
‘Petts was a bit emotional at three quarter-time. He went away, reset himself and came back into the game.
‘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.’
Asked how Petty was feeling, Goodwin said: ‘He’s fine. He’s all good.
‘I thought his last quarter was pretty strong.’
Demons captain Max Gawn said: ‘I wasn’t there, there were a few words, all I saw was my teammate in tears.
‘It got us going a little bit, there’s plenty of big fish to fry over the next few weeks and I think they sorted it out. I saw a little handshake so hopefully all is well.’
Brisbane confirmed after the match that the incident would be investigated.
‘I was alerted to an incident that had happened at three-quarter-time by Alan Richardson,’ Daly told Seven after the match.
‘We spoke to our player (Zorko), he’s apologised to the Melbourne player (Petty), and I’ve apologised to the Melbourne Football Club straight after the game as well.
Zorko is no stranger to post-match incidents with opponents after having two run-ins with Suns midfielder Touk Miller in the past.
Miller snubbed the handshake offer extended by the young midfielder after the first Queensland derby in 2019, before then delivering a verbal barrage at the Sun in the return fixture that year before bizarrely following Miller around the field with his hand extended after a brief post-game handshake.