Josh Rachele urges fans to 'choose kindness' after receiving abusive message online

Adelaide Crows player Josh Rachele has encouraged footy fans to "choose kindness" after he shared an abusive message he received on social media.

The message was sent directly to Rachele on Instagram by a person telling him to "end your life please".

In response, Rachele posted a screenshot of the message saying "hope you're happy with yourself pal".

In a follow-up statement, Rachele said "mental health matters in every space, including sport".

"Messages like these are never welcome. Words have meaning, words have impact," the 23-year-old said.

"Let's choose kindness."

ABC News understands the club is looking into the incident and will make a report with the relevant cyber authority.

The comments come after the Crows defeated Richmond at the MCG on Sunday, where Rachele received a free kick in the game's final minutes.

Mental health within the AFL has been in the spotlight in recent weeks, following the death of Jaryd Dawson, the brother of Crows Captain Jordan Dawson.

Earlier this month, Carlton Football Club was fined $75,000 for its delay in bringing Elijah Hollands off of the field during a mental health episode in a match against Collingwood.

Geelong's Bailey Smith has called for the introduction of a men's mental health round and sent his support to the Dawson family and Hollands.

"I think it's about time the AFL get a men's mental health round ... it [made] me feel sick during the week," Smith said in a post-match interview in April.

"Hopefully the AFL community wraps their arms around them and we can do something."

The AFL Players Association has also been contacted for comment.

Fans Association 'shocked'

President of the AFL Fans Association Ron Issko told ABC News he was 'shocked' by the 'horrendous' message.

"Any abuse, any racial vilification, anything to do with harm to someone is just not acceptable on the footy field," Mr Issko said.

"When it comes to footy, anyone that talks like that, sends messages like that, doesn't belong in the footy community."

Mr Issko said the association would reach out to the club to send its full support to Rachele.

"I guarantee you that person that sent it wouldn't say that face-to-face to Josh," Mr Issko said.

"Mental health is a real issue. These players are under a huge amount of pressure ... they train hard, they try and do the best they can.

"We have to look after the mental health of everyone, players, fans and that sort of thing happening is just unacceptable in this country."

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