Gold Coast Suns' captain Touk Miller has been handed a one-match suspension for grabbing Lion Dayne Zorko's groin, in an incident that was initially cleared by the MRO.
Miller was found guilty of conduct unbecoming with the league determining he'd breached Rule 2.3(a) in the tussle with Zorko.
It comes as the Suns released a statement on Thursday night, outlining their dismay with the AFL's decision, which came five days after the match.
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"We accept the AFL's decision but as a club we are extremely disappointed in the outcome," Suns football boss Wayne Campbell said in the statement.
"Touk is the captain of our football club and has built a reputation as a fair and strong leader who is admired by the entire AFL community."
The suspension comes after Zorko expressed his disappointment in the AFL for failing to sanction Miller immediately after the QClash on Saturday, when the incident occurred.
The Suns, however, denied claims made by Zorko on SEN radio earlier in the week about Miller.
"He is one of the most highly respected players in the competition and it's disappointing his integrity and character has been tarnished during this process," Campbell said in the club's statement.
Miller also spoke out to defend his name.
"It was not my intention to harm Dayne and if that has occurred from my actions I would like to apologise to him," Miller said.
It comes after Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd condemned Miller's actions on Wednesday night and called for a lengthy suspension.
"That doesn't look good to me, I'm actually wincing watching that incident, personally", Lloyd said on Nine's Footy Classified.
The Suns skipper will miss his side's clash against Adelaide as a result of the suspension.
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