AFL captain reveals sad reality of 'toxic' online abuse

Adelaide has gone to police after captain Jordan Dawson was abused online following the club’s season-ending loss to Brisbane, and fellow AFL captain Jai Newcombe says the reported trolling is only part of the problem. Newcombe, co-captain of Hawthorn, said players face far more abusive messages than what becomes public, calling it “toxic” and “ugly.” He noted Hawthorn teammate Mabior Chol reported earlier this season that he faced online racist abuse. Newcombe said he avoids responding to trolls and instead skims direct messages or hidden requests rather than reading them. Asked what could help, he said players need the right support when they choose to call out online abuse.