Image that sparked trolling for an AFWL player after Grand Final

An AFLW player has broken down in tears after she detailed the abuse she got after an image of her went viral after the 2023 Grand Final.

An AFLW player has broken down in tears after she detailed the abuse she got after an image of her went viral after the 2023 Grand Final.

Brisbane Lions player Dakota Davidson appeared on the Keegan and Company podcast to talk about the abuse she copped after the 2023 premiership match.

Davidson was an instrumental player in the Lions’ 17-point win over North Melbourne in 2023 and a photo of her celebrating was used by news outlets.

However, what came out of that was an abusive tirade directed at Davidson over her appearance.

“I obviously had a lot of success on the Grand Final Day and I think one of my photos was the front cover of a news article. I scrolled through the comments and it was all, ‘He’s the best one out there’, ‘He won them the game’ and ‘good on him’,” Davidson said on the podcast.

One even said that Davidson “grew a leg when it was needed” and used masculine pronouns to describe her.

Davidson said: “I’ve just copped a lot. And it wasn’t just that game. It’s every game and it just gets annoying. I get over it.”

Davidson started to tear up as she talked about the impact that the trolling took on her, saying it can get “frustrating”.

“I am really proud of how I look and how I present myself and who I am. And now, I have games and I make an effort to point out girls with short hair because I know that they seem me and they’re like ‘Dax has short hair, I can have short hair too’ and I love that.”

Dakota Davidson of the Lions celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFLW Grand Final match. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

She said she loves making those little girls feel special because they can identify with her.

People rushed to defend Davidson, with one calling her an “inspiration”.

“Unreal plater. Love watching Dakota play. One of the best,” one social media user said.

Another added: “People can be so mean and there is just no need for it. Life would be so boring if we wee all the same. Keep doing you, and you should absolutely be proud of how you look.”

Davidson broke down in tears. Picture: @keeganandcompany/TikTok

“Your strength as an elite athlete inspires all – girls, women, boys, men and everyone in between. You are pure beauty. Slay,” another said.

It’s not the first time an AFLW player has been subjected to abuse following a picture of them going viral, with Tayla Harris getting similar treatment in 2019.

An image of Harris kicking the footy on the field went viral around the world and was met with sexually explicit and abusive comments about the athlete when it was shared by Channel 7. The photo was removed from the network’s Facebook page and Harris deactivated her personal social media accounts after the post was mercilessly targeted by trolls.

Tayla Harris got a similar treatment. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media

Two years after the incident, Harris wrote in an opinion piece for news.com.au reflecting on what had happened, revealing her surprise that these were ordinary men and not anonymous accounts leaving the abuse.

“The nasty and sexist online abuse I copped that sexualised my body and belittled my athleticism, not only had profound consequences for me and my loved ones, but it also sent a message to girls and young women that they’re not welcome on the field,” she said in the piece.

“It is a message that continues to box women and girls out of playing traditionally male dominated sports and stops them from speaking out, participating and becoming leaders.

“It also sends a message to boys and young men, that this is an OK way to treat women.”

Since, Harris has become an advocate for women’s safety, particularly in the online space, and pushes for change to be implemented on this front.

Originally published as Image that sparked trolling for an AFWL player after Grand Final