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Richmond’s South Fremantle recruit Matt Parker targeted by racist trolls, follows Brad Hill attack

Russell GouldNCA NewsWire
Richmond has thrown its support behind recruit Matt Parker.
Camera IconRichmond has thrown its support behind recruit Matt Parker. Credit: Martin Keep/AFL Photos/via AFL Photos

Calls are growing louder for social media outlets to identify racist trolls after Richmond’s WA recruit Matt Parker became the latest target.

Parker, who made his debut for the Tigers last weekend after being snapped up from South Fremantle in the Mid Season draft, called out the racist abuse he received post-game and asked, “Honestly, when will it stop?”

Richmond threw its support behind Parker and declared it condemned the racist attack, which came a day after St Kilda declared “enough is enough” when its midfielder Brad Hill was the subject of online abuse.

The Saints took the step of calling out the abuse in a statement on the club’s social media accounts after Hill’s fiancee was sent a racist message about the midfielder in the wake of the team’s loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday.

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The AFL Fans Association also condemned the abuse of Parker and urged all fans to call it out.

But Lions veteran Mitch Robinson went further and said social media companies needed to do more to ensure the identity of any “disgusting and pathetic humans” could be uncovered after his children and his teammate Charlie Cameron were targeted.

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WA’s Matt Parker impressed in the 2021 State game before being snapped up by Richmond.
Camera IconWA’s Matt Parker impressed in the 2021 State game before being snapped up by Richmond. Credit: SANFL Image/David Mariuz/Supplied

“When will social media have compulsory ID when creating accounts. Disgusting and pathetic humans,” he wrote on Twitter.

The abuse towards Hill followed a similar attack on his Saints teammate Paddy Ryder last month.

St Kilda said online racism would not be tolerated.

“This has to stop,” the Saints said in a statement on social media.

“A loss is a loss. It does not give people the right to racially abuse or personally vilify a player, their family or anyone in the community.

“Too many times this year, our players and their loved ones have been victim to this type of abuse - enough is enough.”

AFL Players Association chief executive Paul Marsh condemned the online abuse, which he has done regularly when any players have been targeted. .

“Racism is a despicable act that has no place in our game or society,” Marsh wrote on Twitter.

“We have again seen multiple incidents over the weekend directed at players. It’s time for it to stop.

“Time for everyone to reject this hatred and remember there are human beings hurt every time this happens.”

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