Eddie McGuire has called on the AFL to stamp out taunting from the game.
It comes after Lions player Noah Answerth was criticised for mocking Melbourne forward Harrison Petty during Brisbane’s 22-point win over the Demons in round five.
Petty had missed a shot at goal when Answerth taunted him by rubbing his eyes and pretending to cry.
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The Demons forward infamously left the field crying during a clash with the Lions in 2022.
On that occasion it was alleged Zorko had sledged his opponent, referencing Petty’s mother.
After Answerth’s act, Brisbane expressed their disappointment and condoned the act.
Now, McGuire is calling on the league to bring in anti-taunting rules, that would punish players like Answerth for picking at players on field.
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“I hate those little rats who go up (and taunt a bloke), because they know they can’t be touched anymore,” McGuire said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
“I reckon there should be a 15 metre penalty … or a free kick back in the centre square.
Acts such as Luke Parker’s mocking of Bomber Dylan Shiel’s hardness around the footy back in 2022 would be punished under McGuire’s new rule.
“This whole thing about winding people up knowing full well no one can come after you, I think has just had enough,” he said.
The former Collingwood president says the AFL could copy the NFL’s taunting rule.
“In the NFL and college football in America, they have a taunting rule, quote ‘the use of baiting or taunting acts, or words that ingender ill-will between teams’,” he said.
“It’s bullying, it looks useless, it looks terrible for young kids to see, it’s anti-sportsman. Get rid of it.
“It’s everything our game doesn’t stand for anymore.”
