AFLW rallies behind Essendon player Maddy Prespakis after online bullying

·

The AFLW community is coming together to rally behind Essendon midfielder Maddy Prespakis after she opened up about her experience with body shaming from online trolls.

At just 23 years old, Prespakis had previously shared her challenges with body image. Unfortunately, in the days leading up to the Bombers’ match against Gold Coast, she received a “horrible message” that reignited discussions about online harassment.

“To be honest, I feel very sad right now, for myself I have battled with body image and learning to love my body from a young age until now,” she expressed on Instagram leading up to the game.

“Playing football is the game I love but body confidence hasn’t always made it easy with the view I have on myself, and that’s why I’ve worked so hard to be able to look in the mirror and love what my body looks like.

“Yesterday’s horrible message has brought back A LOT of feelings I’ve worked hard to overcome over the years but with the best people around me right now I know I’ll continue to have the love from so many beautiful people in my life.”

Photo: Michael Willson / AFL Photos.

Prespakis didn’t let this hinder her later on the field however, as she accomplished 22 disposals, nine clearances and two goals.

Collingwood AFLW player Sarah Rowe took to AFL.com.au‘s Tagged to express her support for Prespakis vulnerability, saying, “We’re all behind her and we all support her but it’s shocking to think that that’s still happening.”

“We need to have those hard conversations. If it’s you that is making those comments take a good hard look at yourself. If it’s your friend that’s doing that, if it’s your child, if it’s your mum or dad, son, have a good hard look at yourself and pull your head in because it’s not good enough. It’s just not OK and it’s time to take a stand,” Rowe added.

“What she alluded to in her video was that she’s not good enough, she is more than good enough, she’s one of the best players in the League.”

Source: AFLW.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Mixed reactions emerge in Greek Australian community over Prime Minister’s cultural remarks

Members of Australia's Greek community have expressed mixed responses to cultural remarks made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Final countdown to the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools’ Olympic spirit

Excitement is building as the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools prepares for its first-ever Olympic Games, set to take place on Saturday.

‘Two Homelands’ documentary to screen in Melbourne and Perth for the first time

After a successful tour of Cyprus, Kay Pavlou’s documentary ‘Two Homelands’ has screened in Darwin and Adelaide.

From Sunday souvlas to family events: A meet-cute tale of two families becoming one

Traditions never really fade; instead, they go through metamorphosis. One that inarguably remains the same: the desire to love and be loved.

Victorian Liberals to focus on working with multicultural communities

On Wednesday, November 13, the Victorian Liberals hosted a media conference with members from the multicultural media.

You May Also Like

Greece urges Turkey to condemn flag incident on Kastellorizo

Greece has called on Turkey to condemn and investigate what it said was an “insult” to its national flag on the Greek island of Kastellorizo.

Stephen Fry presents proposal for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece

Stephen Fry presented his proposal to deal with the controversy of the Parthenon Marbles at an event in London attended by over 60 people.

Turkish consulate employee’s car set on fire in Greece

Turkey denounced early Tuesday the setting on fire of a Turkish Consulate General employee’s car in the Greek city of Thessaloniki.