Lincoln McCarthy

Lion Lincoln McCarthy criticised for semi-final sledge

“If that’s how they want to act, it’s up to them. It’s not how we act at our footy club.”

Published by
Danielle Sorati

Brisbane's Lincoln McCarthy has come under fire for a sledge directed at Harrison Petty in Friday night's semi-final win over the Demons, in which the young Lion appeared to mock Petty for crying the last time the two teams met.

McCarthy was seen appearing to rub his eyes after a confrontation with Petty in the first half of the Friday night contest, moments after being bumped off the ball in a marking contest.

Off field, Fox Footy commentator Nick Riewoldt took issue with McCarthy's behaviour, suggesting he focus more on winning the ball rather than sledging his opponents.

"Harrison Petty is involved in a situation," Riewoldt said.

"This is the first bit of vision – McCarthy going back, you go back with one hand … when the ball’s there, the really important stuff to be won, and you don’t win it and then you want to carry on with the rubbing of the eyes stuff.

"I think when you look at the contest, Brisbane haven’t been as tough as they wanted to be.

"Even the (Jack) Payne spoil late; when you’re in a position to be able to mark, you don’t back yourself in.

"So bit of by-play, McCarthy goes with the rubbing of the eyes, ‘you cried against us last time’ – but I’m saying when the ball’s there to be won, that’s the real test and you failed it."

McCarthy ended the 13-point win with 11 disposals and two marks.
Asked about the incident post-game, Demons coach Simon Goodwin said that he hadn't seen the incident, but that he would be "disappointed" if McCarthy had targeted Petty.

"I didn’t see it," Goodwin told reporters.

"I’d be pretty disappointed if that was the case, but that’s not really our issue. That’s their issue, it’s their footy club. If that’s how they want to act, it’s up to them. It’s not how we act at our footy club."

Published by
Danielle Sorati