Remorseful Melbourne midfielder Tomas Bugg has apologised to Jack Riewoldt after he shoved the injured Richmond forward late in Sunday night's clash at the MCG.
Riewoldt is in doubt for the Tigers' crucial game against Port Adelaide after he badly rolled his left ankle in the final term of the pulsating encounter, won by the Demons.
Bugg, who texted an apology to Riewoldt after the match, was fined $1000 by the AFL match review panel for pushing the star Tiger as he was being helped from the ground to receive treatment.
"When I watch back now, I'm definitely remorseful," Bugg told the AFL's website.
"It actually makes me cringe when I watch the footage. At the time I didn't really think of the consequences and what would come from it.
"You shouldn't be allowed to make contact with an injured player because the main priority is trying to prevent injuries in our game."
Riewoldt clearly took a dim view of Bugg's actions.
"It's not a great look for the game," Riewoldt told Fox Footy.
"He's nearly cleaned up our physio, who is one of the greatest blokes to walk the Earth, which I'm disappointed about too.
"I just think any sort of violence in footy ... there's no room for it whatsoever."
Bugg, playing his fifth game for the Demons after crossing from Greater Western Sydney, polarised opinion with his flamboyant antics when he pointed to the stands and shushed nearby Tigers supporters as he scored a goal.
"That was a bit of character and passion coming out in my game," Bugg said.
"(But) now looking back on it, it seems like I was putting the focus on myself and that doesn't really sit too well with me.
"Where the team's gone this year, we've been really team-orientated in our focus and that's what has got us our three wins so far and that's what's put us in a good place for the year to come."
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