Bartram_Class
Brownlow Medallist
Australian representative Russell Robertson has apologised for his hip-and-shoulder on Ireland's Tom Kelly during the first Test of the International Rules series at Subiaco, after he was caught on camera smirking following his send-off.
The high-flying Melbourne forward said his laughter as he walked along the sidelines was simply his response to a funny comment from Robert DiPierdomenico after Robertson was given a yellow card.
Robertson was forced to leave the field shortly after half-time last Friday night after standing his ground and flattening an airborne Kelly with a hip-and-shoulder, which is illegal in the hybrid game.
"In the heat of the moment obviously I've done something that I'm used to doing. I paid my penalty - I went and sat on the bench and didn't get much of the ball unfortunately and had to sit and watch," Robertson said after Australia's 90-minute training session at Telstra Dome on Tuesday.
The International Rules debutant said if he was presented with the chance to inflict similar physical punishment during Friday night's second Test at Telstra Dome he wouldn't be repeating his actions.
"I didn't really cannon into him as hard as I possibly could. I wasn't running or sprinting. I just stood my ground and unfortunately for him his arms were up in the air and he was wide open.
"I'm sorry for the bloke that I did it to. I didn't mean to hurt him at all. But that's the way it goes. Sport sometimes happens like that.
"If I get another chance this week I probably won't be doing that again."
But the 26-year-old pointed out that it was difficult for players to curb their natural game after being used to the physicality of Australian Rules. He said other Australian representatives such as Mark Ricciuto and David Neitz had applied bumps in past matches without any malice.
"They (the Irish) have to look at our game and understand it. That's just all part and parcel of it. I've been doing it since I was 10."
Robertson conceded he was embarrassed after being caught on camera laughing after his send-off.
"It was caught on the tape but the big Dip was getting in to me a bit," Robertson said.
"I'm sorry if that looked like I was being a bit arrogant but Dipper can be a funny man and the crowd were giving it to me, too.
"I just had to have a bit of a giggle."
Just when I was to believe Robbo was getting a bit tougher, he comes out with this. Was suprised when he says he's been doing it since hes 10, i havent seen him lay one tough shirtfront on an opponent since hes joined the club.
The high-flying Melbourne forward said his laughter as he walked along the sidelines was simply his response to a funny comment from Robert DiPierdomenico after Robertson was given a yellow card.
Robertson was forced to leave the field shortly after half-time last Friday night after standing his ground and flattening an airborne Kelly with a hip-and-shoulder, which is illegal in the hybrid game.
"In the heat of the moment obviously I've done something that I'm used to doing. I paid my penalty - I went and sat on the bench and didn't get much of the ball unfortunately and had to sit and watch," Robertson said after Australia's 90-minute training session at Telstra Dome on Tuesday.
The International Rules debutant said if he was presented with the chance to inflict similar physical punishment during Friday night's second Test at Telstra Dome he wouldn't be repeating his actions.
"I didn't really cannon into him as hard as I possibly could. I wasn't running or sprinting. I just stood my ground and unfortunately for him his arms were up in the air and he was wide open.
"I'm sorry for the bloke that I did it to. I didn't mean to hurt him at all. But that's the way it goes. Sport sometimes happens like that.
"If I get another chance this week I probably won't be doing that again."
But the 26-year-old pointed out that it was difficult for players to curb their natural game after being used to the physicality of Australian Rules. He said other Australian representatives such as Mark Ricciuto and David Neitz had applied bumps in past matches without any malice.
"They (the Irish) have to look at our game and understand it. That's just all part and parcel of it. I've been doing it since I was 10."
Robertson conceded he was embarrassed after being caught on camera laughing after his send-off.
"It was caught on the tape but the big Dip was getting in to me a bit," Robertson said.
"I'm sorry if that looked like I was being a bit arrogant but Dipper can be a funny man and the crowd were giving it to me, too.
"I just had to have a bit of a giggle."
Just when I was to believe Robbo was getting a bit tougher, he comes out with this. Was suprised when he says he's been doing it since hes 10, i havent seen him lay one tough shirtfront on an opponent since hes joined the club.
