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RICHMOND forward Ty Vickery has apologised to West Coast ruckman Dean Cox following the ugly incident that left the star Eagle concussed on Friday night.
Vickery was reported for the strike that forced the retiring Eagle to be subbed out of the contest in the second term.
Speaking to Fox Sports News on Sunday, Vickery said he was remorseful and has attempted to contact Cox to offer his apologies.
"In the heat of the game I overstepped the mark with my physicality and aggression," Vickery said.
"I'm very remorseful for that and I unreservedly apologise to Dean and his family.
"I've attempted to make contact but haven't got through to him yet but I will to offer him an apology personally."
WATCH: Vickery on report for Cox KO
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said Vickery regretted the incident and the club was braced for the punishment coming from the Match Review Panel on Monday.
"Ty's remorseful, it's not something he's about," he told Channel Seven's Game Day on Sunday.
"We as a footy club understand that, and so we'll go through the due process and cop our whack."
Chris Newman said his team appreciated Vickery's aggression, while Brett Deledio said his side would support him if, as expected, Vickery is handed a lengthy ban.
"We encourage Ty to play aggressive, obviously we don't like to king-hit blokes or swing arms like that," Deledio said.
"If he does get rubbed out we'll miss him.
"It is what it is. Whatever happens, happens."
As Vickery went to the bench at Patersons Stadium, he was harangued by irate Eagles fans, who were within touching distance of the player.
The incident has sparked calls to create greater separation between fans and players at the Perth venue.
"We had to walk through the crowd and it's probably not the most happy environment at that stage," Hardwick said.
"It was a little bit intimidating."
Richmond won the match played in wet conditions by 17 points to stay alive in the hunt to play finals football.
