In a heated AFL match in Perth on Saturday night, Fremantle forward Patrick Voss sparked controversy by directing a ‘crybaby’ gesture at Melbourne Demons defender Harrison Petty during quarter-time. With Fremantle leading by 42 points, Voss patted Petty’s head three times condescendingly amid a verbal exchange, prompting Melbourne skipper Max Gawn to intervene and remonstrate with him.
The Controversial Moment
Voss’s actions drew immediate backlash as he aimed to provoke Petty, who has faced similar taunts in the past. North Melbourne great David King condemned the incident on Fox Footy, calling it ‘a step too far.’
‘You can embarrass them in the way you play but you can’t humiliate them face-to-face,’ King stated. ‘I think it’s a bad look and I don’t think the AFL will be thrilled with this. I think the taunting rule will come into effect. I’m not sure whether there’s anything in the rules you could sanction the player, but it’s a worthy discussion because in the end it’s an ugly part of our game we don’t need.’
Harrison Petty’s History of Sledges
Petty has endured emotional taunts before. In 2022, Brisbane Lions veteran Dayne Zorko referenced Petty’s ill mother, leaving the Demons player in tears during a three-quarter time break. Zorko later apologized, stating, ‘I have apologised to Harrison for the inappropriate comment I made to him last night. I’m remorseful for my actions and take full responsibility for the hurt caused to Harrison, his family and the Melbourne Football Club. In reflection, I understand I need to be a better leader, and have spoken with the club who have reinforced this.’
The AFL investigated that incident, which fueled widespread criticism. More recently in 2024, Lions defender Noah Answerth targeted Petty with a similar crybaby gesture.
Fan and Expert Backlash
Fans on X echoed King’s sentiments, with one writing, ‘By targeting Harrison Petty – a player with a well-documented history of emotional distress – Voss hasn’t just crossed a line; he has arguably brought the game into disrepute.’
Others added, ‘Voss is an absolute loser who has done nothing with his career. Petty has a premiership medal,’ and ‘Yeah the game is comfortable that a man who cries should be mocked for eternity by complete morons like Voss.’
Fremantle Coach Responds
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir acknowledged Voss treads a fine line but praised his energy. ‘We understand he treads a fine line at times, and he’s got to manage that,’ Longmuir said. ‘But he just brings so much energy to the group that we all buzz off it. He plays with great energy. He tries to help his teammates out who are getting tagged. He goes after target players for us or players we want to try and negate from the opposition. So he does a lot right in that sense.’
The incident reignites debates over taunting in AFL, highlighting calls for stricter enforcement of related rules.
