Paddy Ryder targeted by racist post after Port Adelaide's upset win
The AFL has been hit by another incident of racial vilification on social media after Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder was targeted after the club's victory over West Coast on Friday night.
Just days after Adelaide champion Eddie Betts - who is preparing to celebrate his 300th match - revealed that he urged players attending the AFLPA Indigenous summit in February to stick together to confront racist trolls, the Power spoke out against abuse directed at their veteran ruckman.
The club stressed that the AFL and all clubs must remain vigilant in trying to stamp out the problem.
"Racism has no place in the AFL or our society more broadly," the club said in a statement. "It is divisive, hurtful and not welcome.
"The Port Adelaide Football Club is aware of a racist social media post directed at Paddy Ryder following last night’s game in Perth.
"Port Adelaide will support Paddy and its Indigenous players in dealing with the impact of this cowardly and ignorant comment, but it is clear that the AFL and its member clubs must remain vigilant in coming together to eradicate this behaviour.
"Paddy and all Indigenous players across our competition deserve so much better."
Port Adelaide defeated the reigning premiers by 42 points.