Brave footy player with condition that sees him get mistaken for a dwarf hits back at sick trolls who targeted him on Facebook
Young player with medical condition targeted by trollsBlake Robinson's photos posted in shocking Facebook group Has told Aussies he just wants to 'play the game I love'
A 20-year-old football player with a rare medical condition that has impacted his growth has hit back at trolls who have targeted him in a shocking Facebook group, saying 'I just want to go out and play footy'.
Blake Robinson plays for Karingal Football Netball Club in Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula league, but on three occasions this year has been secretly photographed and posted in a Facebook group called 'Midget Watching Australia'.
Robinson only found out about the page when his sister - who also suffers from the condition - discovered people trying to photograph her without her permission.
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Blake Robinson has had enough of being singled out and vilified on a shocking Facebook page, saying, 'I just want people to know that it hurts'
He's now fighting back, and is being backed by his footy club and teammates as he tries to get Facebook to remove the page.
The football club has even put together a video highlighting the important role he plays in his team, including interviews with Robinson and his teammates.
'It's hard,' said Robinson, who pointed out that he is not a dwarf and doesn't 'speak on behalf' of people with that condition.
'I just want to go out and play football and not have photos taken of me and posted to stupid groups - it shouldn't even be a thing.
'I'm just a normal 20-year-old who wants to go out and play the game I love. I don't play the game any different to anyone else.
'People out there who take photos and think it's funny - but it's not funny to me and I just want people to know that it hurts.'
Club president Sara Burke was appalled by the vilification that Robinson has had to deal with.
The 20-year-old (pictured at a recent match) said 'I just want to go out and play the game I love'
'It just makes me really sad,' Burke said.
'I just can't believe the ignorance of people - especially [seeing] we are in 2024.
'And the fact that he can be on the footy field doing what he loves and someone is taking a photo and posting it on social media - it's just really disappointing.
Burke told the Herald Sun that the club is doing its best to get the Facebook page removed.
Daily Mail Australia's search didn't bring up the Facebook group, but did reveal a very similar page named 'Midget spotting Australia' that has only been going since earlier this month.
'We've been working really hard behind the scenes to get this removed from Facebook,' Burke said.
Robinson wants Aussies to know that he's 'just another 20-year-old guy'
'We've been getting everyone at the club on board to report it and report the people posting in it.
'I never actually looked at it until last week, I think it stopped but has started again or someone started a new one.
'His sister has been his biggest advocate, she's found out who owns the group, knows friends of friends – she's been really quite amazing.'
Robinson wants his detractors to remember that he's a human being, just like them.
'I'm the same as you, I'm not different,' he said.
'I may be short, but I'm just another 20-year-old guy... I'm not different, I do everything the same.'
His reaction to the shocking trolling has won him support online, with the fan of one of Karingal's rival clubs praising his play and spirit.
'This bloke is a real goer and never shirks the issue,' the commenter wrote.
'You played well against us on the weekend mate, don't let the keyboard warriors get to you.'