Dayne Zorko responds after Touk Miller slapped with one-game suspension

Dayne Zorko has commended the AFL for handing Gold Coast rival Touk Miller a one-week suspension, days after he took to radio to express his astonishment that the Suns midfielder had escaped sanction stemming from their heated clash in round 20. The pair frequently sparred in a spiteful Q-Clash the weekend prior, with Zorko left furious over contact made to his groin in a tackle.

Miller had initially been cleared by the AFL's match review officer in the aftermath of the heated clash, in which the Suns walked away upset winners. The lack of action from the MRO prompted Zorko to take to the airwaves on Monday in disbelief.

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This triggered a review of the incident, with the AFL contacting Zorko directly to hear his side of the story - a move that drew praise from the Lions veteran. Suns football boss Wayne Campbell was left disappointed with the outcome however, claiming that Zorko's public commentary has resulted in Miller's 'integrity and character' being 'tarnished'.

The Suns nevertheless accepted the one-week ban, with Miller subsequently ruled out of the round 21 match against Adelaide - a cruel blow with the Suns still an unlikely contender for a top eight spot. Zorko however, was pleased an outcome had been reached.

"What I will say is the support from not only the club, but I really appreciate the AFL actually looking deeper into it and hearing my side of the story as well," Zorko told SEN Queensland. "I thought it was really great that they were able to do that.

"It's finished now; the investigation is over and I'm just looking forward to playing this week."

It was an episode Brisbane coach Chris Fagan was reluctant to comment on, saying hew was simply pleased the issue had been promptly dealt with.

"I haven't got too involved other than support Dayne during the week," the coach said. "I'm not going to add any more fuel to it, let's move on."

Gold Coast Suns left 'extremely disappointed' by Touk Miller ban

Miller was suspended after being found guilty of conduct unbecoming. While the Suns accepted the decision, Campbell still labelled the saga 'extremely disappointing'.

"We accept the AFL's decision but as a club we are extremely disappointed in the outcome," Campbell said in a statement on Thursday. "Touk is the captain of our football club and has built a reputation as a fair and strong leader who is admired by the entire AFL community.

"He is one of the most highly respected players in the competition and it's disappointing his integrity and character has been tarnished during this process."

Miller apologised to Zorko in the wake of the suspension being handed down. The AFL has come under heavy criticism, both for failing to take action via the MRO, and also the lengthy delay in the suspension, which only came down on Thursday.

Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd earlier in the week called for the league to impose a sanction on the higher end of the spectrum for the incident he said left him 'wincing'. Zorko claimed to have bruising in the region where Miller grabbed him.

"That doesn't look good to me , I'm actually wincing watching that incident, personally", Lloyd told Footy Classified earlier in the week. "I think it's on the highest end of serious offences if he is found guilty."

With AAP

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