3. Trolls and Gutter Journalism
This week we say three deplorable actions – two by a set of trolls and an extraordinary attack by a former rugby league player.
It was announced this week that Salford Red Devils’ fullback Niall Evalds was set to leave the club at the end of the season to link up with Super League rivals Castleford Tigers. This went down with a lead balloon with Devils fans. Evalds responded to the backlash by releasing a passionate response on Twitter.
“Thank you to the many Salford fans who’ve sent supportive messages, however to those not so kind please be respectful that my partner and family can read what has been said about me. Words hurt. Mental Health is real.” So true.
— Niall Evalds (@NEvalds1993) May 13, 2020
— Niall Evalds (@NEvalds1993) May 13, 2020
The words of Evalds could be are a clear message to fans down under after attacking James Roberts’ troubled past after South Sydney announced he was receiving help. A minority of rugby league fans took it upon themselves to reminding social media of his troubled past, unsympathetic to his plight. We wish Roberts all the best in his rehab recovery.
With Roberts’ mental health issues coming to light, Ben Ikin penned a controversial story to Fox League where he suggested players who aren’t up to the game mentally should play local footy.
When talking about Darius Boyd and Latrell Mitchell, Ikin said:
At what point does the responsibility fall on the individual to say, this job might not be for me, I don’t like the pressure or scrutiny, it’s not good for my mental health, so I’ll find a job where those forces don’t exist.
Or conversely, choose to play rugby league minus all the fanfare, it’s called community football.
You don’t get paid, but if you’re truly in it for the love of the game, trust me, there are plenty of options.
In every workplace around Australia there’s an obligation for employers to ensure that their employees have a safe working environment and more importantly, have avenues available to support their workers during tough times, such as mental illness.
The National Rugby League is no different. They have a duty to look after people who work within the game whether they are at HQ, the players or on-field officials.
Surely of all people, Ikin could have seen this in front of his own eyes when Brett Finch struggled through his commitments at Fox Sports last year.
That’s what makes Ikin’s comments astonishing, gutter journalism at it’s best.
Time to support independent rugby league sites.
