Dockers won’t be taunting Murphy

FREMANTLE have vowed not to direct any vicious sledging at Marc Murphy on Sunday as the Carlton AFL skipper deals with the fallout of verbal abuse from St Kilda players.

Murphy was left fuming after St Kilda players allegedly sledged him about his wife during last week’s match.

Dockers forward Shane Kersten says his team will steer clear of the issue when they face Murphy. “Personally, I don’t think it’s on,” Kersten said.

“I’m not one to go out and sledge people. If there’s a little bit of sledging, it’s all in good humour.

“I’m sure we’ll have a briefing this week. But we’re not a team that goes out to try to target players in that way to get under their skin or anything.

“If they’re a good player and if we’re looking to tag them, then that’s what we’ll do.

“We don’t need to go over and above to try to win a game.”

Kersten said the young nature of Fremantle’s squad meant they probably couldn’t afford to get involved in sledging even if they wanted to.

AFL boss Gill McLachlan yesterday rejected calls for the introduction of a code of conduct after the Murphy saga.