An online troll has apologised after being confronted for sending a vile suicide taunt to Adelaide Crows skipper Jordan Dawson, whose brother recently took his own life.

7NEWS confronted Stuart Rocke, the man who was outed by Dawson on social media after sending the despicable message following Saturday night’s semi-final loss to Brisbane.

The message made a reference to self-harm.

Dawson’s brother Jaryd died by suicide earlier this year.

Rocke was tracked down at his home in Perth’s northern suburbs, and 7NEWS questioned him about the disgusting message.

“Can I ask you why you sent that?” Rocke was asked.

“Not really,” he replied.

He was then asked: “Why did you feel the need to do that?”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s disgusting.”

Mental health advocates have applauded Dawson for naming and shaming the culprit, insisting the only way to stamp out online trolls is to call them out.

“He’s received a horrible message there, and at a period of time when he’s just finished the football season, and as a whole family unit, they’ve gone through an enormous challenge and trauma and grief and loss,” Breakthrough CEO John Mannion said.

“I love the fact of the way in which he’s managed it. He’s called it out. He said, this is not acceptable. He said, we need to be better than this. And I think the way in which he’s using his platform to drive the positive mental health messaging and the language that we use is really, really proactive.”

The horrific abuse comes just three weeks after Dawson made an emotional speech at the All-Australian Awards, opening up about his struggles and desire to be a leader in the mental health space.

“I just want to say, you are enough and you are loved. Thank you,” Dawson said.

Dawson’s teammate Callum Ah Chee was also targeted on the weekend, becoming the victim of racial abuse by another troll online.

Adelaide CEO Tim Silvers said unfortunately, this disgusting and disturbing behaviour is becoming more common.

The club has reported both incidents to SA Police and the AFL’s integrity unit.

“It can be pretty toxic and pretty ugly,” Hawthorn co-captain Jai Newcombe said.

“There’s a lot out there that doesn’t get shown. I think it’s important that Jordan’s done what he’s done.”

Former Adelaide, Suns and Brisbane player Jarryd Lyons said: “I went to his brother’s funeral and it’s horrible that people can have access to do that sort of stuff.”

The AFL Players Association has released shocking figures to 7NEWS in the wake of the abuse, revealing that 66 per cent of AFL players and 31 per cent of AFLW players have received some form of online abuse in the past 12 months.

More than a quarter of Indigenous and culturally diverse AFL players experienced racism in the past year, with 71 per cent of those players reporting that it occurred on social media.

As Newcombe said, this abuse is unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg.

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust