Dayne Zorko fined for swiping at goggles of Mason Cox during Brisbane Lions and Collingwood AFL prelim

Brisbane veteran Dayne Zorko has been fined for a potentially harmful swipe at the medically-required goggles of Collingwood big man Mason Cox during their preliminary final bout on Saturday night.

Zorko can accept a $3125 penalty — down from $5000 with an early guilty plea — for misconduct.

But he is free to play in the Lions’ third straight grand final, when they take on Geelong at the MCG on Saturday.

Cox had just slotted the first goal of the penultimate game of the season, having received a free kick given away by Zorko inside 50, and the big American went straight over to the Lions star to let him know about it.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dayne Zorko under fire for goggles swipe.

It was the beginning of a shaky start for Zorko, who was directly or indirectly responsible for three early Collingwood goals through turnovers and free kicks.

In a heated tussle after the goal, Zorko was fortunate not to give away another free kick when he grabbed at Cox’s protective eyewear.

Cox started wearing the protective goggles, which also have prescription glasses in them, in 2022 after a career-threatening eye injury.

At the time, he had multiple surgeries, suffered temporary blindness, and was unable to come out of his own dark bedroom or take in any light.

Cox had the unique glasses approved by the AFL, and risks career-ending and potentially lifelong damage to his eyes if they get poked again.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn have until Monday to decide whether to challenge Mabior Chol’s three-match ban for rough conduct.

Chol was charged over the tackle in Friday’s preliminary final that left Geelong’s Tom Stewart concussed and ruled out of the grand final.

“Prelim final, they’re fierce. Cox enjoyed it, he enjoyed the moment, and he let Zorko know,” Brian Taylor said on Channel 7’s commentary.

“And Zorko tried to take the glasses off! Look at that, he’s had a go at them, tried to peel them off.

“It took a bit of skin as well, and there’s just a touch of blood here early, and Dayne Zorko in the middle of it all.”

Luke Hodge, who played with Zorko for two years at the Lions, said it should have been a free kick against him.

“That’s a free kick; it’s the same as ripping off someone’s headband, you can’t do that,” he said.

There were calls for Zorko to receive a penalty harsher than a fine.

“Wearing them for medical reason not just vision. Another poke in the eye could be life-changing for Cox. Opposition players won’t learn with no punishment to deter them,” one fan said.

It was a hot start for Collingwood but they went into quarter time down by 20 points after a blistering term from the Lions.

A second-quarter fightback from the Magpies provided some resistance, but the Lions were too good in a dominant second half, running out 29-point winners to qualify for their third straight grand final.