Australian Football League Women’s Competition (AFLW) star Sarah Perkins has received widespread support after she hit back at online trolls who body-shamed her in the wake of the Gold Coast Suns’ defeat to St Kilda on Sunday.
Perkins had kicked a goal and two behinds in the match, and taken four marks, before she took a fifth in front of goal with a minute left in the game and her side four points behind.
However, the key forward, usually known for her keen eye for goal, skewed her shot wide and the Suns dropped to a narrow 5.4 (34) to 4.7 (31) defeat — their fourth loss of the season.
On Monday, Perkins took to her social media to apologize to Suns fans, prompting an outpouring of support for the 28-year-old.
“Yesterday hurt a lot — but the sun came up this morning, and I’m ready for a big week on the track and in front of goals,” she said. “Sorry to the Gold Coast Suns fans, but please stick with us.”
However, there were also some accounts that responded with body-shaming messages and comments about her weight, which Perkins promptly called out.
Perkins wrote on Twitter: “Two from 2 this evening ... Anyone other bloke/fake account wanna comment on my size, body shape, athleticism? More than happy to hear feedback about my football skill/ability, but unfortunately not everyone can be a size 6!”
Collingwood captain Steph Chioci was one of several high-profile female athletes who jumped to Perkins’ defense, writing on Twitter: “People are just jealous they have never achieved anything worth posting about. Got your back always. Can’t wait to see you kick more snags from 50m out and lay tackles like a boss.”
Former cricketer Alex Blackwell and recently retired netball star Caitlin Bassett also posted messages of support for Perkins, while AFL General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch shared a video of last week’s 55m-goal-of-the-year nominee against the Bulldogs and said Perkins had been instrumental in making the AFLW “great right from the start.”
Perkins, who spent three years in the AFLW with Adelaide and Melbourne before moving to the Gold Coast last year, has been a fan favorite at all three clubs.
She played just five matches for the Suns last year before sustaining a knee injury, but has performed excellently this season.
In response to the trolls on Monday, Perkins also posted a screenshot of one comment on her Instagram story along with the caption: “Shit like this will never get old” and two middle-finger emojis.
The AFL Players’ Association said: “There’s no room for these kinds of comments. We’re with you all the way, Perko.”
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
RSS