Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield has sprung to the defence of former teammate Bernie Vince after he copped harsh criticism when the pair were spotted sharing a post-match laugh.
Melbourne looked set to close on a crucial win over Geelong before Zach Tuohy kicked a goal in the dire seconds of the game.
As Demons players slumped to the ground with their face in their hands, the cameras spotted Vince chatting away with his former Adelaide teammate.
Social media erupted overnight, criticising the Geelong midfielder for an apparent lack of care over the devastating loss.
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I love Bernie Vince like most and he has done great things for the club. But mate you can’t be having a laugh after that game. Your bloody teammates are on the deck absolutely shattered. If that game doesn’t hurt you, we’re probably best to play someone else.
— Mark Mann (@Markm106) July 21, 2018
While his team mates were in tears, Bernie Vince was having a laugh with one of the Geelong players just after the siren. He should be dropped. Clearly showed & felt no pain in the loss. Not a good look. Harsh assessment?
— paul caruso (@paulcaruso2) July 21, 2018
Bernie Vince having a laugh with Danger after the siren . Your a joke your team has just lost the double chance . Should never play again .
— Shayne We are essendon (@shayne1963) July 21, 2018
How about Bernie Vince laughing and smiling after the game. Petraca nearly in tears and Bernie is planning on how to get to the local pub with Danger. Should never play again. #AFLCatsDees
— Ridgy Didge (@Fridge0812) July 21, 2018
But Dangerfield retorted the harsh critics on social media, revealing context behind the pair's post-siren catch-up.
Known each other for over a decade and not allowed to talk about family post game... #itsagame #spell https://t.co/oTndZf9zt7
— Patrick Dangerfield (@dangerfield35) July 22, 2018
North Melbourne's Shaun Higgins and AFLW star Daisy Pearce came to Vince's support on Channel 7's Game Day, saying that critics need to calm down and not read into the seemingly harmless exchange.
“Well, they are two good mates catching up and we have no idea what was said,” Higgins said.
“Everybody handles those situations differently, so I wouldn’t be reading too much into it.”
Pearce, who plays for the Melbourne side in the AFLW, said that she doesn't have a problem with Vince's actions as players should be allowed to express their feelings in the moment.
“I think players are mature and professional enough to have that moment and get on with feeling it and doing something about it in terms of how they prepare for next week,'' she said.
“Bernie is competitive as anyone and he would have felt that loss as much as anyone.
"You're allowed to feel and let that happen, then move onto the next moment and it doesn't detract from your football."
Bernie Vince has copped some criticism for chatting to Patrick Dangerfield straight after Melbourne's heart breaking loss.
— 7AFL (@7AFL) July 22, 2018
Do you think that's unfair? pic.twitter.com/nskmqj2ROS
Although Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney agreed that there was nothing wrong with the post-match exchange, he indicated that players should be conscious of their on-field presence after the siren.
“As a player I was always conscious of how I acted post siren because fans don’t like seeing that,” Cooney told Channel 7’s GameDay.
"It could be taken completely out of context.
“Paddy might have said, ‘how we have got away with that?’ and Bernie might have said ‘yeah I know, it is disappointing for us’ and had a chat about family or anything like that afterwards.
"I think it is fine, players are allowed to show personalities and no doubt Bernie would have been hurting last night and also today."