PORT ADELAIDE players and staff stood in solidarity on Tuesday morning following the latest racist attack on one of their own, but Connor Rozee says it’s not just about one player being targeted.

The weekend’s social media abuse of forward Willie Rioli by multiple people was called out by the player himself and is being investigated by the AFL’s Integrity Unit and eSafety Commissioner’s Office. 

At Alberton, players and football staff stood together behind the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to show support for Rioli and the club’s other First Nations and multicultural players who regularly cop similar abuse.

“We are fully behind our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players,” Rozee told media at a press conference ahead of his 100^th AFL game. “They’re such an important part of our group and our game in general so to be behind them is really important.

“We need to stamp out this poor behaviour because it’s not good enough and it’s been going on for too long.

“I think it is quite common still and especially with social media how people can create fake accounts and not put their name to it, it has created a big problem.

“If we can find a way to call those people out because I think we’ve got to a point as a society where we’ve moved way past that. It shouldn’t even be in people’s frame of mind now. It’s in the past.

“It’s never been good enough and it’ll never be good enough.”

The strong stance came about following a group discussion between coaches and players at a pre-training team meeting.

While he had not been victimised personally, Rozee said people from all backgrounds deserved to feel safe around the game, and he hoped supporters would join the group in condemning the actions of those who continue to target players with racism.

“It’s an important issue that’s been strung out for too long now and it needs to be called out,” the 23-year-old explained.

“We fully support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players. It’s absolutely disgraceful that it’s still happening. It’s really disappointing from our end and as a playing and coaching group, we don’t stand for it, and I hope our supporters stand with us in that.

“If we can keep calling it out then that’s the best thing people can do. It’s not good enough.”

Rioli has returned to training and is grateful for the support of his club mates.

Rozee said despite that, people needed to be better and consider others before they post abusive messages.

“Everyone is different with how people approach different situations but I think our group has been great,” he said of how the group had wrapped its arms around the former West Coast premiership player. “We’ve got a connection within our group that is the best it’s been since I’ve come to the club and Willie has fit in so well.

“I think he’s got 40 of his best mates to support him throughout these next few days and the days just gone.

“Again, it’s not good enough but he’s got such a great support network here at the club and in his family as well.

“Hopefully this is the last time we have to talk about it.”