Footy star mocks rival with crying sledge two years after teammate left him in tears with ‘I hope your mother dies’ slur

  • A footy star has mocked his rival for crying in 2022
  • Noah Answerth made the gesture to Harrison Petty
  • Petty cried when Dayne Zorko sledded him two years ago

Noah Answerth has reignited a two-year-old feud between Brisbane and Melbourne players after an ugly act against Demons star Harrison Petty.

Brisbane ran out comfortable winners in Thursday night’s match at the MCG, but all fans are talking about Answerth’s antics towards Petty midway through the final quarter.

After a missed shot on goal by Petty, Answerth came over and rubbed his eyes as if he were crying.

The gesture was a reference to Petty’s emotional reaction in 2022 after then-Brisbane captain Dayne Zorko allegedly told the Melbourne star: “I hope your mother dies.”

Harrison Petty was mocked by Noah Answerth on Thursday night

Answerth mocked Petty for crying during a match against Brisbane in 2022

Answerth mocked Petty for crying during a match against Brisbane in 2022

Dayne Zorko allegedly told Petty he hoped his mother would die

Dayne Zorko allegedly told Petty he hoped his mother would die

Zorko apologized at the time and said he would be a better leader, adding that he was “remorseful” but that the incident was “unprovoked” as he had also been sledded during the match.

“Is this Answerth, with the history going on between these guys… crybaby?” commentator Brian Taylor asked during the live broadcast.

‘Players don’t forget, do they?’

Zorko himself was unimpressed by Answerth’s antics and denounced them on ABC Radio.

The Melbourne star has been targeted by Brisbane players for his emotional response

The Melbourne star has been targeted by Brisbane players for his emotional response

‘I’ll probably go talk to him. That’s not the way we want to win,” the Lions veteran said.

This isn’t the first time the Lions have mocked Petty for his tears. During the 2022 semifinal matches, Lincoln similarly motioned for McCarthy to cry during a match with Petty.

“I haven’t seen it but I’d be quite disappointed if that was the case,” Demons coach Simon Goodwin said shortly afterwards.