Delisted West Coast defender Josh Rotham says some of the personal criticism AFL players receive on social media is “disgusting”.
The Eagles confirmed on Monday the 26-year-old would not be offered a contract for 2025, ending his eight-year stint at the club
Rotham played 72 games for West Coast after being taken with pick No.37 in the 2016 national draft, including a career-best 19 in 2021.
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But he was never fully able to cement his spot in the side, having played 13 games in each of his past three seasons, none in his first two, and 14 combined in 2019 and 2020.
It made him the subject of some frustration for Eagles fans, particularly since the club’s dramatic drop-off in 2022.
Rotham said he understood the club’s decision to delist him in what is a “ruthless” industry but had no time for the fans who tried to make his life hell on social media.
“It’s just the nature of the beast in a way, I think. It’s so accessible now, social media,” he told SEN this week.
“I wouldn’t say this if I was still at the club, but I’m going to say it — there are people who can sit on the couch and be stuffing their face in pies and tell you how to play the game. I find it quite funny.
“But as a player you’ve just got to find ways to block it out.
“Some of the stuff you can receive on social media in your direct messages is pretty disgusting. I just try to ignore it, listen to people within the four walls for the last eight years, and my family and friends.
“It’s tough but it’s what we sign up for.
“People are passionate about the game, so there are two sides to it.
“If people are going after you as a person, that’s different, but there can be some cowardly people going after you.”
Rotham has drawn interest from rival clubs but is yet to confirm where he will play his footy in 2025 and what level it will be at.
“I love footy, I’ll definitely be having a kick next year, it’s just a matter of where,” he said.
“I’ll leave that to my manager regarding interest from other clubs, but there have been a few phone calls made.
“But for now, I just want to decompress for a couple of weeks and work out what I want to do, whether it’s continue playing AFL footy or get a job and play at another level.
“I’m going to put my feet up for a couple of weeks, be with my thoughts, and we’ll go after that.”