IT MADE ME FEEL SICK
Burleigh hooker’s regret over shocking ISC knockout
IT was the shocking punch that rattled the Intrust Super Cup and stunned league fans but suspended Burleigh hooker Pat Politoni says his hit on a Townsville rival left him feeling sick.
“I immediately regretted what I did,” the former Titans, Sharks and Tigers player said.
SUSPENDED Burleigh hooker Pat Politoni has broken his silence over his Intrust Super Cup knockout punch, admitting he felt sick watching a replay of the incident and urging up-and-coming footballers not to turn to violence.
Footage of Politoni reacting to Townsville’s Michael Parker-Walshe shoving him in the back of the head by swivelling around and punching the halfback in Burleigh’s 16-10 Round 4 loss at Jack Manski Oval quickly went viral. The 28-year-old was sent off for the offence.
Many were surprised that he copped a ban of just three games upon visiting the judiciary last Wednesday, although that sentence was reduced from eight on the basis of his seven-year, incident-free record.
Politoni took some time away from footy, watching the Bears’ 38-22 win over Souths Logan on Sunday remotely, but is now determined to make amends for his wrongs.
“I immediately regretted what I did,” the former Titans, Sharks and Tigers rake told the Bulletin.
“It was just a reaction and something I haven’t done before. What I did was the wrong thing and I knew that so I was feeling pretty down.
“I just sort of kept to myself but luckily there are a lot of good people around the club who backed me through this. Everyone knew that I did the wrong thing but I think all of their support did help me.”
Politoni has tried to stay away from the social media storm that surrounded his punch and has avoided watching the video outside of when it was being analysed at the judiciary hearing.
“I didn’t want to watch it. It makes you feel a little bit sick,” he said.
Parker-Walshe was brutally honest about his role in the incident, telling the Townsville Bulletin that it had “probably been coming for a few years”.
“It was probably a bit of a d**khead move on my part,” he said.
“To be completely honest I see if he was OK and thankfully he was and he did accept the apology.”
He pleaded with youngsters to not follow in his footsteps.
“For the kids that are watching it: It’s not right to retaliate with violence,” Politoni said.
“It’s not me. It’s hard to say that because you just go off what you have seen, people who don’t know me, but yeah it’s not a good look for the game.
“Violence doesn’t solve anything and if I had my time again, I would just walk away.
“To anyone, you have just got to walk away, it’s not worth it.”
Politoni will be eligible to return for Burleigh’s Anzac Day showdown with Papua New Guinea at Pizzey Park.