The AFL's general manager of inclusion and social policy has revealed online attacks and racial abuse within earshot of his mother in the stands was directed at young Western Bulldogs player Jamarra Ugle Hagan at the weekend.
On Sunday the AFL, Bulldogs and St Kilda released separate statements confirming investigations had begun to identify a crowd member, understood to be a Saints fan, who allegedly hurled racist abuse at the 20-year-old during and after the clubs' round two clash at Marvel stadium on Saturday.
Speaking to ABC Radio Melbourne on Monday evening, Tanya Hosch said she did not know the precise details of the comments made, but said they came as both vilification through direct messages on social media and from an individual at the game.
"Jamarra is out there doing his job, and in the course of doing his job he's been subjected to racist abuse," she said.
"As a parent myself, I can only think about how heartbreaking that would have been for his mother to have to hear that as well.
"That would have definitely had an impact on her as well."
Those behind the incidents have not yet been identified.
Ms Hosch said the nature of both examples and relative anonymity it allows can make it a difficult task.
"These things also have to be investigated, substantiated and things of that nature," she said.
"When it's online, the majority of the time these things are done in a cowardly manner through anonymous accounts or accounts that have been set up simply to give people anonymity while they churn out all of this racist, sexist or homophobic abuse."
She said ticketing information could be used to identify the person in the crowd.
Ms Hosch said the AFL is "not the law" and unable to take legal action against offenders on behalf of players.
Fans were encouraged to report abusive behaviour they hear at games to direct numbers advertised at stadiums.
As for the online attacks, Ms Hosch said the league's positive relationship with the eSafety Commissioner and social media platforms means quick response times to concerns which are flagged.
As for AFL sanctions, she said imposed consequences on clubs for fan conduct, such as stripping their right to have fans at matches in-line with policies in some sports leagues globally, were unlikely, but that cancelled club memberships and other suspensions for offenders have been done in the past.
Ms Hosch also gave a sobering reminder to the larger impacts of vilification on the victim and those around them.
"One of the things that we often forget is that this will be having an impact on him, It'll be having an impact on his family, and even if a player decides that they want to move on from a very quickly they are often very conscious of the impact it's having on their families and still very hurt on their behalf."
She said the Bulldogs have strong support systems in place and commended St Kilda for their willingness to collaborate cooperatively on the matter.
Ugle-Hagan did not attend the Bulldogs' recovery session on Monday.
