Police have charged a Melbourne man over alleged online threats levelled at Richmond defender Dylan Grimes after a controversial free kick in his team's victory over Essendon on Saturday.
In a statement, Victoria Police said officers had executed a warrant at a Frankston address on Monday and arrested a 39-year-old man, who was later charged with stalking, using a telecommunications device to menace, making a threat to commit sexual offences and other charges.
Through his club, Grimes thanked police for "promptly protecting the physical safety of my family while I am away".
"The severity and pointed nature of these threats went way beyond what I would call normal post-game banter with this individual, so much so that we were concerned for the safety of my family back home in Victoria," he said in a statement.
"Honestly, I am disappointed that this has escalated to this extent, I'd really like to move on from it and get back to focusing on footy, but at the same time I also encourage people to continue to call out this kind behaviour.
"It's not right for anyone, including players and their families, to have their safety threatened."
Richmond's CEO Brendan Gale said it was important that the AFL community was united in stamping out the "ugly, abusive behaviour".
The club described the online harassment as "extreme threats that compromised the safety of Dylan Grimes and his family".
AFL Players Association boss Paul Marsh was among those to denounce the alleged threats in recent days, warning that abusive messages were being sent to players "every week and it has to stop".
The alleged threat against Grimes came two weeks after Greater Western Sydney player Callan Ward also received death threats and abuse when accused of staging for a free kick.
The 39-year-old man has been bailed to appear before the Frankston Magistrates' Court on May 4, 2021.
