Brisbane AFL coach Justin Leppitsch has apologised for grabbing Lions player Zac O'Brien by the jumper and yelling at him in a heated halftime incident.
The Lions went into damage control mode after Fairfax Media reported that Leppitsch grabbed O'Brien by the throat and pinned him to the wall when the young midfielder disrespected reserves coach Shane Woewodin at the main break of last weekend's NEAFL match.
O'Brien earned Leppitsch's ire when he failed to come off the ground as instructed and later swore at Woewodin.
The report said when O'Brien was hauled in for a "please explain" the young midfielder stood on tiered seating, prompting Leppitsch to grab him and pull him off a step while accusing him of attempting to stand over the coach.
In a Lions statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, both Leppitsch and O'Brien offered apologies.
"What's happened is a couple of really passionate people have crossed the line and I've apologised to Zac," said Leppitsch.
"I've yelled at him a little bit and grabbed his shirt, and that was inappropriate - it's not something that I'm proud of.
"It was two passionate people in the heat of the moment.
"We've nipped it in the bud and everything is OK now.
"The one disappointing fact for Zac and I, is that we spoke on Sunday and Monday and it was all good, and for it to be raised again is disappointing."
O'Brien also expressed his remorse but claimed he was now on good terms with Leppitsch.
"I over-reacted on the bench, which I'm not happy about and very remorseful and regret it," he said.
"At halftime I went into the rooms with Justin and we had a chat, and were two pretty passionate people who care a lot about the club and things got a little bit heated.
"But we put it to bed yesterday."
O'Brien will not be considered for senior AFL selection for the next fortnight for swearing at Woewodin.
Lions CEO Greg Swann said he considered the matter closed.
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