ROSS Lyon has called for stronger language to be used around social media “hate” after St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the target of racial abuse online.
Wanganeen-Milera and Port Adelaide’s Jase Burgoyne called out anonymous trolls after both players received a series of abusive messages following their games last round.
“It was hate, it was vehement, it was disgusting,” St Kilda coach Lyon said on Friday.
“We don’t stand for it as a club and the AFL doesn’t, and the community shouldn’t.
“It’s more than racism – it’s hate. You know what? The standards you walk past are the standards you accept.
“They call it out, we’ll move on and play our footy.”
Lyon said Wanganeen-Milera had been “really well” in the days since calling out the abuse.
The out-of-contract star, who is weighing up his playing future amid huge interest from rival clubs, will line up for the Saints in their clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.
“Nothing fazes Nas,” Lyon said.
“It’s nothing to do with Nas … Nas is a great person and he’s becoming a great player.
“If anything, the power’s in how you respond. He’s got nothing to shy away from.
“Deep down, would it be really hurtful and uncomfortable? Yeah, but guess what? That’s out there … it was hate, it was vehement and it was disgusting.
“We don’t stand for it and we want to stamp it out and we want to call it out, which has been done.”
The AFL on Monday condemned the “abhorrent racist remarks” directed at Wanganeen-Milera and Burgoyne, and is investigating the incidents.
Meanwhile, Lyon has declared “the gloves are off” as St Kilda seeks to end a losing streak in Geelong that dates back more than a quarter of a century.
The Saints have not won at Kardinia Park – currently known as GMHBA Stadium – since a Tim Watson-coached side kicked six final-quarter goals to overrun the Cats in June 1999.
They have a barren 0-12 record at the venue since then, with an average losing margin of 45 points.
But Lyon’s men came close to breaking the drought last season when they lost a nail-biter by eight points.
“Good teams play on anything, so we want to be a good team,” Lyon said.
“There’s certainly no trepidation. We’re leaning into this.
“So yeah, the gloves are off. We’re up for the fight.”
Lyon confirmed St Kilda small forward Dan Butler will not play again this season, having had an operation on his dislocated elbow on Thursday night.
