Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has defended skipper Dayne Zorko from criticism of his post-match exchange with Touk Miller, saying it was a natural reaction after being physically “hammered” by his opponent.
Zorko admitted he was embarrassed by his own actions after Saturday’s four-point AFL win over Gold Coast in verbally berating Miller, his tagger, while shaking his hand after the final siren.
Fagan called it a “little misdemeanour” and said he expected to see more control in future from the 29-year-old, who took over the captaincy from Dayne Beams midway through the season.
But he also said he understood where Zorko was coming from, having been paid close attention by Suns nemesis Miller throughout the Q-Clash.
“It’s hard when you’re a natural competitor; you’re full-on, the siren goes, you win, to then suddenly change to this nice warm friendly person after you’ve been pretty much hammered for two-and-a-half hours by the opposition,” Fagan told reporters on Wednesday.
“I think it’s really easy for all of us sitting back and observing to (criticise him).
“It’s a lot harder when you’re the bloke that’s actually copped the physical attention … to remain composed when the siren goes.
“I thought it wasn’t that big a deal, this weekend. The cameras were obviously on them.
“I didn’t see the cameras highlight all the whacks and knocks he got from the bloke who was playing on him during the game and no one talks about that as being bad sportsmanship or anything like that.
“We need to keep a little bit of balance in our commentary on that.”
AFL greats including Tim Watson, Robert Walls and Kane Cornes, slammed Zorko for showing poor leadership.
It wasn’t the first time he’s had a run-in with Miller.
Zorko refused to shake his opponent’s hand after the Lions lost to the Suns earlier in the season and said at the time he would learn from that mistake.
Fagan said the latest incident wasn’t “as big and as bad” as that one.
“I think the history of it is Dayne’s probably been copping it in those games for the last five or six years,” he said.
“It’s probably wearing pretty thin on him.
“It was only for a brief second or two … by and large, he’s been amazing for us since Beamsy stepped aside.
“He plays with a lot of passion.”