Zorko eye-swipe dominates AFL prelim final as Lions reach third straight Grand Final

Brisbane Lions veteran Dayne Zorko is under intense scrutiny after a moment early in Saturday night's AFL preliminary final against Collingwood, when he appeared to swipe Mason Cox's face with his hand after Cox kicked the game's opening goal. The incident drew swift attention as Brisbane went on to claim a 29-point win and advance to the AFL Grand Final for a third straight season.

The touch occurred as Cox chased the ball after his goal, with witnesses saying Zorko grabbed Cox's jersey and swiped at his glasses, which are valued around $3,000. Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor described the moment: Zorko 'tried to take the glasses off.' Former AFL great Luke Hodge also weighed in later, telling broadcast colleagues that the act was unacceptable and 'you can't do that, it's the same as ripping off someone's headband.' The incident built into a match that swung Brisbane's way after a tense opening.

Brisbane faced a rough patch late in the second quarter when Collingwood kicked six goals to none, turning a 13-point deficit into a halftime edge. The Lions hit back after the interval, launching a three-goal burst in five minutes early in the third quarter to seize momentum. Brisbane carried that momentum through the second half, outscoring Collingwood 11 goals to four and securing the 29-point victory. A highlight for Collingwood in the period came when Elliott soared for a mark over Starcevich before finishing with a goal.

Reaction outside the stadium reflected the heated debate in AFL circles and online. Fans and pundits took to social media to call for disciplinary action against Zorko, with posts such as 'Should get a week' and 'Zorko should be suspended for that. Seriously,' while others pointed to Cox's history with eye injuries and protective eyewear.

Cox has worn protective eyewear since 2022 after surgeries to address an eye condition that threatened his career. He previously learned in 2019 that he had detached retinas in both eyes, and in 2023 another incident occurred when Ben Keays pulled off Cox's protective eyewear during a separate moment, underscoring the sensitivity around any contact near his eyes.

Brisbane's win guarantees a place in the Grand Final, extending their string of title appearances. They will play in their third straight AFL Grand Final next week, continuing a recent run of high-stakes matches for the club.

As of now, no formal disciplinary decision had been announced, with AFL officials expected to review the incident in due course. The league's handling of on-field contact near a player's eyes is a focal point for fans following the match.