JOSH Caddy says he is "deeply remorseful" for calling Hawthorn's Daniel Howe a "spastic" during Thursday night's qualifying final at the MCG.
The Richmond premiership player apologised on Instagram on Tuesday after his profanity-laden sledge towards Howe was picked up by on-field microphones.
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"I'd like to apologise for the way I acted during last Thursday night's game," Caddy wrote.
"I apologise to both James [Frawley] and Daniel for the remark I made and am deeply remorseful to have offended people in the community.
"The insensitive comments were made in the heat of the moment but that is no excuse and I accept that the language over-stepped the mark, was a terrible look, and is totally unacceptable.
"For that, I am truly sorry."
Caddy was locked in a fiery battle with Howe and Frawley throughout Thursday night's game, with another untidy moment coming in the first half when he used his legs to hold Howe in a headlock behind play.
It's the second time in two years an AFL player has come under fire for using derogative language focusing on disability towards an opponent.
Veteran Greater Western Sydney defender Heath Shaw apologised in 2017 for calling Sydney's Tom Papley "a f***ing retard" in another incident that was picked up by the broadcaster's microphones.
Incidentally, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said on-field microphones should be scrapped in the wake of the Shaw incident.
"Heath will be embarrassed by it, but it begs the question more so: do we really need mikes on the players?" Hardwick said at the time.
"Is it Heath's problem or the broadcaster's problem?
"From a broadcasting point of view, I would be taking it further — do we want swearing with kids watching on TV?"
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The AFLPA confirmed to AFL.com.au on Tuesday it would continue to support the use of on-field microphones despite the broadcasting of Caddy's words.
In 2017, the players' union said the use of such technology helped "bring fans closer to the game and provide a better spectacle for viewers".
The AFLPA also said it would make no further comment on the situation given Caddy's public apology.
The Hawks were contacted by AFL.com.au on Tuesday about whether Howe and Frawley had accepted Caddy's apology.
