GWS star Callan Ward has revealed he received death threats following his matchwinning goal against Essendon on Friday night.
Ward appeared to overplay a free kick in the dying minutes of the match, with the Giants holding on to win the game by two-points.
However, despite the victory, Ward revealed on radio on Saturday morning he had received a number of vile social media messages, including death threats.
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“The reason I brought (it) up is that I know it (social media abuse) is a reality,” Ward said on 3AW.
“I won’t listen to it, but I know there are people that probably would and I think it just has to stop because if you have been getting death threats like I have been getting, some players couldn’t handle that.
“I guess with what has happened, the most disappointing thing is I have a lot of Essendon supporters and a lot of AFL supporters commenting on photos of Romeo, my baby, and saying that I am a flog and all this stuff.
“I guess I am copping a fair bit and that’s disappointing.
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“I am in a situation where I am an AFL footballer, but at the same time I am away from my family and it is tough. It is disappointing to see where people feel the need to express their passion and hatred towards me at the moment.”
Asked if he played for the free kick, Ward told teammate Heath Shaw for Channel 7 post-game: “I thought I played it pretty well. I didn’t ‘play’ for it, but I knew the contact was coming.”
