Brisbane Lions defender Dayne Zorko has received a $3000 fine following derogatory remarks directed at bench officials during the last quarter of a match against the Western Bulldogs. The AFL confirmed the penalty was imposed due to Zorko’s use of insulting and profane language as he left the field. The specifics of his comments remain unclear.
In a statement, the AFL reaffirmed its strict policy against abusive behaviour towards umpires and match officials, reminding players of the zero tolerance for such conduct. This incident was compounded by Zorko’s physical struggles during the match, having sustained a suspected ankle injury in the first quarter that forced him off the field.
Despite this, he returned to play later in the game and managed to contribute significantly with 25 disposals, one goal, and eight marks, ultimately helping the Lions secure a victory with a score of 12.14 (86) to 12.4 (76). Despite showing resilience, Zorko experienced ongoing foot soreness which led to his club sending him for scans; fortunately, he was later cleared of any serious issues.
Looking ahead, Zorko is set to return to the field on Saturday to compete against the Gold Coast Suns.