VFLW: Port Melbourne plans to continue calling out negative comments

Two VFLW clubs have been targeted by online trolls after a low scoring affair, prompting a stern response from one disappointed club boss.

Port Melbourne footy boss Glenn Balmforth says his club will continue to call out derogatory comments targeting women’s football.

Both Port Melbourne and North Melbourne VFLW sides were targeted on social media on Saturday when cold and wet conditions at ETU Stadium saw the Borough go down to the Kangaroos 0.4 (4) to 0.6 (6).

Port Melbourne’s social media team banned further comments on the club’s Twitter before releasing a statement on Sunday evening.

“We will continue to call out that type of behaviour,” Balmforth says.

“The girls are certainly passionate enough to do it and it’s something we want to stamp out of the game.

“Any opportunity we get, we will make sure we call it out because don’t want this sort of thing creeping into the game.

“We don’t want our players, our staff, or players and staff across the league experiencing this.

“It’s not fair that they are passionate about the game, put a lot of time and effort into it and still have to experience it, so it’s on us as a football club to call it out when it happens.”

Balmforth says the Borough will keep calling people out for their online comments. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Balmforth says the reaction by some comes down to “a lack of respect” and is confident a lot of those commenting didn’t watch the quality of the game.

“Whether it’s our game, any other VFLW or AFLW game, it’s disappointing that this still occurs, it’s a lack of respect for the effort these players and staff at these teams are going to,” he says.

“It’s disappointing that we can’t celebrate the positive aspects of the game, men’s or women’s, a lot of the time people try to nail into negatives.

“They’re (the girls) disappointed for the effort they go to and that the score line is the reflection of the game and not the actual quality of the game.

“A lot of people commenting wouldn’t have even seen that game on Saturday night, for them to make comments without seeing the way the game was played, how it was played and the style of footy that was played – it’s pretty disappointing.”

The Borough in action on Saturday.

The Borough’s statement provoked an extremely positive reaction.

“Thank you to everyone that braved the elements and came out to support our VFLW side on Saturday night,” the statement said.

“There may not have been any goals scored but degrading and sexist comments about the score line doesn’t kick goals either.”

Balmforth is appreciative of those who supported the Port Melbourne Football Club in response to the statement.