Former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt says the AFL world needs to 'harden up' regarding its reaction to Wayne Milera's Sydney Swans 'rabble' comment.
In a refreshing moment of honesty, Adelaide flanker Milera described the Swans as a 'rabble' with the Crows kicking 21 goals to five in the SCG demolition.
"You could sort of feel it as a group … they were sort of a bit of a rabble, just hearing them on the ground," Milera told the ABC post-match.
Since Milera's comment made headlines, both the player and club have apologised for the incident, with Adelaide's CEO Tim Silvers personally reaching out to his Sydney counterpart.
MORE: Sydney Swans described as 'rabble' by rival Adelaide player
While discussing the reaction to Milera's quip with Melbourne star Max Gawn on Triple M's Mick in the Morning, Riewoldt believes the reaction to the comment has been over the top.
"When you listen to him, there’s no twisting of the knife or malice in that," Riewoldt said.
"To say he was being disrespectful … we just need to harden up."
However, Demons skipper Gawn had a very different take to the ex-Saint.
Gawn stated he liked the apology but Adelaide's method of saying sorry might have been over the top.
"It sounds like a slip of the tongue, it’s an accident, doesn’t it?," Gawn suggested.
"It seems like that’s their perception out on the field… you’d just never say that on-air.
"I don’t mind the apology – maybe the CEO phone call is a bit much – but I don’t mind Milera saying, ‘I’ve stuffed that.’"