Sydney FC striker Shane Smeltz was distraught after seriously injuring Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti but has vowed not to change his game.
Smeltz was involved in an ugly tackle in Saturday night's match that saw Birighitti rushed to hospital for surgery on broken teeth.
Birighitti, who was among the Jets' best, had bravely fielded a through ball in his own box when he was collected by a racing Smeltz midway through the second half.
The former Phoenix striker struggled to focus on the remainder of the match and was concerned for Birighitti's wellbeing, but says he won't shy away from challenging goalkeepers for the ball in the future.
"I've thought about that, I don't think it will. I've always been the same player and I don't need to change it in any way," Smeltz told Fairfax Media.