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Dangerfield hits out at journalist over Fasolo tweet

Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield has hit out at journalist Mark Robinson over his tweet making light of Alex Fasolo’s battle with depression.

Collingwood’s Fasolo announced last week that he was taking a break from the game as he battled depression but would remain involved with the club.

Just two days later Robinson the chief AFL writer for the Herald Sun, posted an image of Fasolo at training with the words, “Good drugs — clinical depression on Tuesday, training Thursday.”

The insensitivity of the tweet led to condemnation and Robinson deleted the tweet and apologised, with the Herald Sun making formal apologies to Collingwood and Fasolo.

But many felt the issue was brushed under the rug too quickly.

Dangerfield felt Robinson got off to lightly for his tweet. Pic: Talking Footy, Getty
Dangerfield felt Robinson got off to lightly for his tweet. Pic: Talking Footy, Getty

Dangerfield, appearing on Channel 7’s Talking Footy intimated as much.

“I was really disappointed in that tweet, especially given Mark really has been the judge, jury and executioner of footballers that make mistakes,” Dangerfield said.

“That’s then played out throughout all media circles, obviously writes for the paper (the Herald Sun), he’s on 360 five nights a week, and then they’re really ripped over the hot coals.

“To be put on the back burner the way it was… I’ve had quite a few players call me from numerous clubs voicing their displeasure in it, and how disappointed they were,” he said.

“There’s a fair bit of angst amongst the players because I think he’s pretty misinformed with that sort of tweet.”

Dangerfield felt the level of scrutiny on players for their social media habits seemed well out of whack compared to the backlash that Robinson felt.

“There was no follow up… if it had have been a player, every time that player was mentioned for probably the next six to 12 months, it’s mentioned,” he said.

“So-and-so did whatever, Jack Carlisle’s a perfect example, there were articles all week about him liking a tweet.”

Robinson did apologise again tonight while appearing on AFL 360, acknowledging he was badly mistaken in making light of the situation.

He also said he was in the middle of writing a letter to Fasolo apologising directly for his actions.