Brisbane Lions star Dakota Davidson has made a bold decision to step back from social media after enduring relentless abuse about her appearance. The 26-year-old forward has spent countless nights in tears, grappling with the impact of derogatory comments that have, at times, made her question her passion for the game.
This year, Davidson decided to take control of her mental health. On the advice of a psychologist, she asked the Lions to limit the number of online photos they post of her and has unfollowed several AFL-related social media accounts. “Last year it got to the point where sometimes I couldn’t think of anything worse than going out onto the field and being called these names,” she said. “We are not animals in a zoo. We are players and people and we have feelings and families.”
The Toll of Online Abuse
Davidson’s candid revelation comes as part of News Corp Australia’s Can We Talk? awareness campaign in collaboration with Medibank. She shared her journey of overcoming fear and finding strength, recalling how she felt “petrified” after cutting her hair short five years ago. Despite initial anxiety, she was relieved when the feedback was largely positive.
“I got used to getting called ‘sir’, or ‘young man’ after I cut my hair short, and it never really bothered me,” she explained. “I was quite OK with that. I was finally proud of the person I’d become. But it got worse when I started playing footy and was in the spotlight.”
“It’s gotten to a point now – as sad as it is – where I can’t bring myself to look at what people are posting.”
The abuse reached a peak following the Lions’ Grand Final victory in 2023, when a photo of Davidson went viral. Instead of celebration, she was met with a barrage of hateful comments. For the first time, she filed a formal report with her club, highlighting the gendered abuse faced by her and other AFLW players.
Support and Resilience
In response, Davidson found solace in the support of her club, teammates, family, and fans. She regularly consults with both a psychologist and a sports psychologist, employing various strategies to maintain her mental fortitude. Her partner, Jennifer, and the Lions fan base have been particularly instrumental in her journey.
“I talk a lot to the girls in the team, and the Brisbane Lions have been super good in throwing their arms around me and making sure that I’m mentally OK,” Davidson shared. “We have a big thing in our group about having hard conversations and making sure everyone is getting through it, because footy can be pretty wild.”
At an open training session, the Lions fan group presented her with a special book filled with cherished photos and personal notes, a gesture that deeply touched her. “Bless them,” she said. “There’s definitely heaps of good but sometimes it just gets overshadowed by the bad.”
Navigating Public Spaces
Despite her progress, Davidson admits that public spaces can still be daunting. She often faces uncomfortable encounters when using public restrooms and prefers to use male facilities to avoid awkward conversations. “I hate it, it gives me absolute anxiety to go to public bathrooms,” she confessed.
Davidson emphasizes the importance of open communication in managing her mental health. “I don’t really hold too many things in for too long, I think that’s the ADHD in me … I’m a big talker,” she said. “It’s just how I was raised really it’s always good to talk about it because a problem shared is a problem halved.”
As Davidson continues to navigate the challenges of being in the public eye, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the human side of athletes and the vital need for empathy and support.
