Sherman backflips on Lions criticism
Embarrassed Western Bulldogs recruit Justin Sherman has apologised for criticising his previous AFL club Brisbane, saying he "clearly" still has much to learn.
The Bulldogs issued a media release on Thursday, a day after Sherman tipped a bucket on the Lions.
Sherman was traded from Brisbane on Monday, resisting a big offer from Sydney to join the `Dogs.
He then held a media conference on Wednesday and criticised the club culture at Brisbane.
Sherman also said he had been shuffled around in different positions at the Lions and spoke of how he would have "better players" around him at his new club.
The Bulldogs are saying privately that Sherman realised soon after the media conference he had spoken out of turn.
"By no means does Sherman believe his comments were taken out of context or that he was misquoted, but he does regret the impression they have given," the club said in Thursday's media statement.
Sherman backed away completely from his original comments.
"It was wrong of me to use the term `culture' because that is not what I meant to refer to," he said.
"I was trying to say that certain off-field distractions had been tough to deal with but these issues were not representative of the Lions as a whole.
"I have the highest respect for (Lions coach) Michael Voss and everything he has achieved.
"I am only young and clearly still have a lot to learn both on and off the field, I just hope that this clears up the issue.
"I hope people will see that the impression I gave is not a true reflection of what I am about."
Sherman added that Wednesday's comments were not a reflection of how he felt about his 114 games at Brisbane.
"I will always be grateful to the Lions for giving me the opportunity to play AFL football and I left the club with many fond memories," he said.
"I was really keen to express my excitement about joining the Bulldogs yesterday and that probably lead me to saying certain things that are not a true reflection of my thoughts.
"I apologise if I have caused any offence to anyone at my former club and want to make it clear that the last thing I wanted to do was criticise an organisation that has given me so much."
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