Brisbane star Lachie Neale has taken to social media to lambast people using online platforms to abuse players, labelling the matter as "the biggest stain on society".
Neale wrote to Instgaram on Friday morning telling online trolls to "grow the f**k up" and "put your face and name to your words", with the two-time Brownlow Medal winner stating the messages he has seen from people online to be "horrific".
"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 horrific 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."
Neale's post comes the morning after Brisbane's 52-point defeat to Collingwood, which saw the Lions suffer the maiden loss of their flag defence.
Racist online abuse was directed at Port Adelaide's Willie Rioli in the past week, with the small forward taking time away from the club.
Power coach Ken Hinkley hit out at the online trolls who directed abuse toward his player, noting the lack of 'accountability' the offenders face.
"It's a disgrace," Hinkley told media.
"It's a disgrace the racism that still goes on in our world. With the way we talk about lots of things in society, and yet that is still tolerated and still allowed to go on.
"There almost should be a law that makes people accountable."
The AFLPA labelled the online messages sent to Rioli as "beyond unacceptable".
