Lions co-captain Lachie Neale has slammed ‘cowardly’ online trolls in an explosive social media post.
Neale on Good Friday morning after Brisbane’s loss to Collingwood didn’t mince his words in an Instagram story, hitting out at abuse towards AFL players
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“People hiding behind keyboards to attack players are the biggest stain on society,” Neale wrote.
“It’s getting beyond a joke now, the things I’ve seen sent are some of the most horrid messages I’ve ever seen.
“It’s a game of football, grow the f**k up. Cowards.
“Put your face and name to your words.”
It’s understood the scathing attack from Neale came in relation to abuse towards one player, with the details unclear.
The Lions in a statement stood by the dual Brownlow medallist in calling out the hate.
“The club is aware of a player receiving some appalling messages from online trolls following the match last night,” a clubs spokesperson said.
“Unfortunately it is an ongoing issue players are having to deal with, we stand by them in calling it out. The matter has been reported.”
The Lions were torched by the Magpies by 52 points at the Gabba on Thursday night despite Chris Fagan’s previously unbeaten side going in as favourites.
The reigning premiers fell to 4-1 and currently sit second on the ladder with the rest of Round 6 still to play out.
Earlier this week Port Adelaide forward Willie Rioli took a day’s personal leave after receiving online racial abuse for his social media post where he professed his ‘hatred’ towards Hawthorn following the clubs’ spicy Gather Round clash.
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