Gold Coast star midfielder Touk Miller has responded to concerns that AFL players receive too much criticism on social media from fans and pundits.
It comes after 2023 Brownlow medallist and Brisbane Lions premiership star Lachie Neale put out a message on his Instagram story on Friday, telling social media users who attack players online to "grow the f**k up", labelling them as "the biggest stain on society."
Miller accepted the fight AFL players have to make to not get caught up in criticism, but believed it was a part of the industry.
"From my point of view, [the social media criticism] is the reality of playing football. You're in a fishbowl, you're open to criticism," Miller said.
"There's a lot of media, there's a lot of keyboard warriors who are out there to get you if you play well or if you don't play well.
"All you can control is what you look at and how you handle it, how much stuff comes up on your algorithm."
"I don't think it's a fair thing to say that you have to go out there and stop whoever's doing or try put things in place or penalties. I don't think that can happen.
"From my point of view, it's just the reality of playing AFL football, you're in the bubble.
"You do have to fight against it a fair bit, but you also have a bit of control over what you look at and how you handle it yourself."
Miller and the Suns will be looking to avoid further criticism following their shock loss to Richmond on Easter Saturday, taking on the underperforming Swans in their Round 7 clash at People First Stadium.
