Andrew Lovett disappointed after over-the-fence comment in Nepean league

FORMER Essendon player Andrew Lovett has been allegedly vilified while playing with Sorrento in the Nepean Football League on Saturday.

Andrew Lovett playing for Essendon in 2009.

FORMER Essendon player Andrew Lovett has been allegedly vilified by a supporter while playing with Sorrento in the Nepean football league on Saturday.

A disparaging comment was apparently made to him by a Crib Point supporter.

It is believed the comment was not a racial slur but was related to a 2011 court case where Lovett was acquitted of two criminal charges.

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Officials from both Crib Point and Sorrento acted swiftly; the supporter was confronted and AFL South East region general manager John Anderson was alerted.

Sorrento president Bernie Balmer said Lovett was “disappointed, to say the least’’ by the incident but didn’t wish to lodge a formal complaint.

Instead he wants the league to instigate an education awareness campaign.

Anderson said the league’s vilification policy wasn’t called on because an official complaint wasn’t lodged.

“But because we are aware of the issue we would like to work with Andrew and the Sorrento club to formulate a (education) campaign,’’ he said.

“We want to get the message out there that this behaviour that took place at Crib Point on the weekend is totally unacceptable.

“We are supporting Andrew and will use it as a vehicle to educate people about what’s just not appropriate in this day and age.’’

Lovett had 88 senior appearances for Essendon from 2005-09 and received the medal as best-afield in the 2005 Anzac Day match between the Dons and Collingwood.

He has played three games for Sorrento, booting five goals.