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“Witch hunt”: Zorko slams “absolute joke” of a fine
Andrew Slevison • July 29th, 2025 9:36 am
Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko has labelled his fine from Round 19 as an “absolute joke”.
The Lions defender was just a few days ago hit with a $3000 sanction for using “insulting and profane language” directed at the officials’ bench during the win over the Western Bulldogs on July 18.
In sanctioning Zorko, the AFL was making a statement that abuse or insulting behaviour towards AFL umpires or match officials will simply not be tolerated.
But Zorko believes it’s a “witch hunt” and suggests the Lions will be seeking clarity on the matter.
“It’s an absolute joke, but anyway,” Zorko said on SENQ Breakfast.
“The witch hunt is back out on me. We’ll seek further clarification and hopefully we’ll get that.
“You can’t have any frustration in this game anymore. You’ve got to be an absolute robot. If you’re not then you pay the price.
“Disappointing, but it is what is.”
On the back of that 10-point Round 19 win over the Dogs, Zorko and the Lions struggled in the weekend’s Q-Clash, losing by 66 points to Gold Coast.
The 36-year-old had a season-low 17 disposals in the loss to the Suns.
The reigning premiers currently sit third on the ladder ahead of Saturday night’s blockbuster clash with top-of-the-table Collingwood.
