Sports
AFL Addresses Taunting After Voss's Gesture Towards Petty During Fremantle Game
The AFL is again facing scrutiny regarding on-field conduct after Fremantle forward Patrick Voss made a 'cry baby' gesture toward Melbourne defender Harrison Petty during Saturday night's game in Perth. This incident has sparked debate, with North Melbourne great David King calling the action a step too far.
The Voss-Petty incident occurred at the quarter-time siren during Saturday night's match in Perth, with Fremantle holding a 42-point lead. Following a verbal exchange, Voss rubbed Petty's hair in a condescending manner three times, then made a 'cry baby' gesture. Melbourne skipper Max Gawn remonstrated with Voss after the incident. This is not the first time Petty has been the target of such behaviour. In 2022, Brisbane Lions veteran Dayne Zorko sledged Petty about a sick family member, which caused Petty to become emotional; Zorko later apologized. In a separate incident, Lions defender Noah Answerth directed a similar taunt toward Petty in 2024. Speaking on Fox Footy, David King said, "You can embarrass them in the way you play but you can't humiliate them face-to-face."
Key Facts
- Fremantle forward Patrick Voss taunted Melbourne defender Harrison Petty during Saturday's game.
- Voss made a 'cry baby' gesture towards Petty at the quarter-time siren.
- The incident occurred during Saturday night's match in Perth.
- Melbourne's Max Gawn confronted Voss following the on-field taunt.
- David King called Voss's actions a step too far.
- Petty was previously the target of sledging by Dayne Zorko in 2022.
- Noah Answerth taunted Petty in 2024.