Sam Docherty is joined by his children Myles and Ruby before his final game last July.Credit: AFL Photos
Gorringe defended airing the recording on his show, arguing the content provided fans with genuine football insight rather than the polished responses typically delivered in traditional media settings.
Docherty clarified earlier that he did not expect the voice memo to be broadcast verbatim when he sent it to Gorringe, although he has maintained the football analysis itself was fair.
The 31-year-old remains one of Carlton’s most respected recent figures, having served as co-captain and overcoming two battles with testicular cancer during his playing career.
Carlton, however, have been keen to limit further attention on the episode during a short turnaround between matches after their disappointing season-opening defeat.
The Blues were comfortably beaten by Sydney in the opener, a result that has intensified scrutiny on coach Michael Voss’s side after expectations rose following the club’s return to finals last season.
Carlton’s inability to halt Sydney’s scoring burst during the match again exposed concerns about the side’s defensive structure when games open up — a theme that featured heavily in Docherty’s analysis.
Thursday night’s clash with Richmond at the MCG now looms as an early opportunity for Carlton to steady their season and quickly shift focus back onto the field.
Players returned to training on Monday as the club prepared for its first home game of the year.
Lions to head to tribunal in bid to clear Andrews, Gardiner
Jon Pierik
The Brisbane Lions will attempt to have co-captain Harris Andrews and defender Darcy Gardiner cleared to play against Sydney this week by challenging their suspensions at the AFL tribunal.
However, the Lions have opted not to challenge the one-match ban handed to midfielder-forward Zac Bailey.
Big blow: Arthur Jones was concussed after an incident with Harris Andrews on Saturday night.Credit: AFL Photos
In a heavy fall-out from Saturday night’s shock five-point loss to the Western Bulldogs, Andrews was suspended for three weeks for striking Artie Jones while contesting a loose ball.
After spoiling the ball in a marking contest on centre wing, Harris swung his arm back and collected Jones high, ending the lively forward’s night with concussion.
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Andrews had quickly looked over his shoulder to see where Jones was before throwing his left arm out, connecting with Jones’ face.
Match review officer Michael Christian graded the incident as careless conduct, severe impact and high contact.
A Lions’ spokesman confirmed on Monday the club will appeal the Andrews and Gardiner bans.
Former North Melbourne premiership player David King, now a prominent commentator, said Andrews had been harshly dealt with.
“I got smashed for saying this – yes, we’re trying to stamp out concussions – but I thought Andrews meant to body check,” King told SEN.
“He’s flushed him in the face. I said three weeks down to one, and it got hammered on the weekend. There was no intention (to hurt) – it’s a rarity.”
The Lions face the Swans, St Kilda at Marvel Stadium in round three and Collingwood on Easter Thursday in their next three games. They have a bye in round two.
Gardiner was given a one-match ban for a late hit with a forearm to the face of forward Aaron Naughton in the final minutes of the match, conceding a 50-metre penalty.
The incident was graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact, prompting a one-week ban.
Bailey, one of the league’s top free agents this season, was handed a one-match ban for elbowing Michael Sellwood in the head during a scuffle on the wing in the third quarter.
The incident was graded as intentional conduct, low impact and high contact, triggering a one-game ban.