Newcastle Jets striker Joel Griffiths knows he went back to old habits on the weekend when he was red carded against Wellington Phoenix. But Griffiths has vowed to put the incident behind him and atone for a poor choice of behaviour after he was sent off for kicking out at Phoenix's Karl Dodd.

"I had a brain explosion and lost control," Griffiths told The Herald yesterday.

"It was a stupid act and I know I have let a lot of people down, most of all my teammates.

"I have apologised to them.

"At the moment it is hard to look them in the face, but I have to try and make it up to them in some form.

"That is probably the hardest thing.

"I have worked so hard to get my name in the headlines for the right reasons," Griffiths added.

"Now I am back to square one. I lost my rag and went back to my old ways.

"I think a lot of coaches now will instruct players to try and get under my skin.

"No one gets under my skin, I just get frustrated. I am my own worst enemy at times."