The AFL returned this weekend, and players from several clubs took a knee ahead of games to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

It was something that has been seen in sport around the world recently, with NRL players taking knees as well this weekend in Australia.

Unfortunately, the initiative, which saw images of players kneeling in unity shared across social media, inevitably saw trolls come out of the woodwork demanding refunds.

Collingwood Magpies and Richmond Tigers players kneeled around the centre circle before their Thursday night game, the first of the re-started season.

That saw disgruntled Fremantle Dockers member Miles Obst tweet his club, demanding the club prevent their players from kneeling for Black Lives Matter, or he would be cancelling his two memberships.

“I love my Dockers. I’ve left my 2020 membership with you. But… if our boys get on one knee on Saturday, I’m out,” he posted, in a tweet he has since deleted.

Fremantle retorted with a classy response. “Hi Miles, we are sorry you feel that way. One of our membership services representatives will call you shortly to process a refund,”

A member of St Kilda tweeted a similar threat to his club, writing “So if the StK FC bends the knee tomorrow, I’m out. I will terminate my membership on Monday.”

The club gave a familiar response, making it clear the importance of getting behind the cause for its players.

“Hi Jacques, we’re sorry you feel that way. You’re welcome to contact the club on Monday and we’ll process your refund for you.”

The move to kneel ahead of games was also endorsed by the AFL itself. “Racism needs to be stamped out,” AFL boss Gillon McLachlan told Seven on Thursday.

“It is an important issue for our players, for our clubs and the AFL.”

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