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Adelaide Crows captain Jordan Dawson reported receiving a threatening message on Instagram after his team's loss to the Brisbane Lions in a semi-final game. The message referenced self-harm towards Dawson, prompting him and the club to report it to South Australian Police and the AFL integrity unit. The incident highlights ongoing issues of online abuse in sports, with Crows CEO Tim Silvers emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable and must be addressed by authorities.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-13,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Sunday, Jordan Dawson, captain of the Adelaide Crows in the AFL, received a disturbing direct message on his Instagram account referencing self-harm following his team's semi-final loss to the Brisbane Lions. The Crows reported this "disgusting" message to both South Australian Police and the AFL integrity unit. Dawson addressed mental health at an awards night last month after winning the AFLPA’s Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award, inspired by the tragic death of his brother Jaryd in April. The team emphasized support for Dawson following online abuse and trolls.
Written for “Crows Player Threatened” on 2026-09-14,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 8523 · logged 2026-09-13
Adelaide Crows have reported a “disgusting” troll attack on captain Jordan Dawson to South Australian Police and the AFL integrity unit.
asserted
Crows → report → Police
On Sunday, Dawson took to social media, calling out a direct message sent to his Instagram account that had made a self-harm reference towards him following the Crows’ loss to the Brisbane Lions in a semi-final at the Gabba on Saturday night.
“There is absolutely no place for this in the world, be better,” Dawson wrote.
asserted
Dawson → take → world
The Crows skipper last month won the AFLPA’s Robert Rose Most Courageous Player Award after playing out the season following the tragic death of his eldest brother Jaryd in April.
asserted
skipper → win → April
SA Police said at the time that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the 35-year-old’s death.
asserted
Police → say → death
An emotional Dawson, who was also named vice captain of the All-Australian team, made an inspiring address about mental health at the awards night.
asserted
who → name → night
“The mental health space is something that’s pretty new and pretty raw to me at the moment, but it’s definitely something that I want to learn a bit more about,” Dawson said on the night.
“I just want to wish anyone who’s struggling with mental health to know that you are definitely loved and the world is a better place with you in it.
“You are enough, and we all love you, and you have beautiful family and friends around you.”
The Age has chosen not to show the name of the account or repeat the message.
asserted
Age → ’ → message
The account was set as private on Sunday night.
asserted
account → set → night
Crows chief executive Tim Silvers spoke up for Dawson and teammate Callum Ah Chee, who also faced post-game abuse on social media.
asserted
who → speak → media
“Unfortunately, this disgusting and disturbing behaviour is becoming more common,” Silvers said on Sunday.
asserted
Silvers → become → Sunday
“It’s simply not good enough, and it has to stop.
asserted
it → ’ → ?
“We will provide Jordan and Cal with the appropriate support, as is the case when any of our people are subjected to online attacks and abuse.
asserted
any → provide → attacks
“We will also be reporting these latest incidents to SA Police and the AFL’s integrity unit.”
asserted
We → report → Police
If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
asserted
you → know → 636
