TOMAS BUGG has spoken out about the toll taken by his devastating punch on Sydney's Callum Mills, and how he is working hard to change people's views about his character.
Bugg was handed a six-week suspension for knocking Mills out in an off-the-ball incident when the two teams met in round 15 this season.
Writing for playersvoice.com.au, the forward has described his horror as he realised his strike was delivered to Mills' head rather than his stomach.
"I wasn't actually looking at him when I hit him. I heard the umpire's whistle, he was running over, then I looked down and saw Callum on the ground," Bugg wrote.
"Callum actually muttered something to me on his way down, I'm pretty sure it was, 'f*** you'.
"From that point my whole body kind of dropped. It was such a strange experience, like I was watching it unfold from off the field.
"All the Sydney players came at me and were ripping my jumper, throwing me around. I didn't fight back at all, didn't push back, I just let myself get thrown around. I'd usually push back if someone goes at me, but I didn't. I just let it happen.
"I was nowhere for the rest of the game. I kept replaying the incident over and over in my head all night. It’s the longest game I've ever played."
After his ban was handed down by the AFL Tribunal, Melbourne gave Bugg a week-and-a-half off to reflect on the 'selfish' nature of his actions.
Coach Simon Goodwin was clearly disappointed and Bugg wrote he felt he had let the whole club down.
Bugg shakes hands with Callum Mills after the round 15 clash at the MCG. Picture: AFL Photos
Bugg contacted Mills a couple of days after the incident had occurred, having asked former junior teammate Luke Parker for the young Swan's number.
"I called Callum on the Sunday with no other intention than to see if he was okay, which he was. I just said, ‘Hey mate, it’s Tom.’ He could have hung up, but he didn't," Bugg wrote.
"It shows the quality of person Callum is – he took the phone call, accepted my apology, said he'd moved on and didn't hold a grudge."
Bugg said it was up to him to earn people's respect back.
The 24-year-old Melbourne forward was heavily criticised for a provocative Instagram post challenging Western Bulldogs opponent Jason Johannisen before a game in round 13.
He was also involved in a social media stoush with former GWS teammate and now Collingwood midfielder Taylor Adams prior to the Queen's Birthday clash in round 12.
"I know the incident has changed me. I think everyone cares how people see them, even from the outside. I want to be perceived as a person who’s hard-working, gives back, has personality, is himself," Bugg wrote.
"I want to be all those things, but if someone on the outside thinks I'm a thug, I'm not going to lose sleep over it. As long as the people that matter have a strong perception of me.
"If my career finished now, I know I’d be remembered for that.
But that’s something I've got the power to change. And I can do it, I know I can."
