Bomber’s plea after racist abuse

ESSENDON forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has penned a heartfelt message detailing his difficult year after being the subject of a racist online slur following a game he didn’t play in.

The Bombers removed an “appalling comment” from a fan on their Facebook page on Sunday night which had been directed at McDonald-Tipungwuti

after the club’s elimination final loss to the Western Bulldogs.

The 28-year-old did not feature in the match, having sat out the past three games due to personal reasons.

McDonald-Tipungwuti posted on Instagram that the comment was highly disappointing at a time when the wider public should be supporting each other.

“As a society we should never define anyone by the colour of their skin, religion, race, culture or ability,” the post read. “In Australia we are one people and a diverse community that should be galvanising together instead of ripping each other apart.

“My family and I, like many others, are separated by distance and Covid restrictions. We all feel isolated and should be using our words to unite us in the face of adversity.”