Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien has voiced his outrage following online death threats aimed at winger James Schiller. During a dismal first half of the team’s match against Manly, where they trailed 16-0 by halftime, local fans expressed their frustration by booing the players as they left the field. Schiller struggled dramatically, contributing to the team’s poor performance with five errors, four missed tackles, and two penalties.
Amidst this tough night, Schiller reportedly received a chilling message threatening his life. Fortunately, the second half saw a remarkable turnaround for both him and the team. Schiller ended the game with a try assist, seven tackle breaks, and four line breaks, as the Knights achieved a stunning 26-22 victory.
However, the aftermath of the game saw the same unnamed social media user send Schiller a follow-up message downplaying the win. O’Brien condemned the threats during a media conference, highlighting the issue’s severity and confirming that authorities were dealing with the situation.
“This is concerning,” O’Brien remarked. “I want to protect our players. It’s just a game of footy, and to be subjected to that kind of vitriol for a few mistakes is unacceptable. He has a family, and that’s why it’s important to shield them from this behaviour.”
O’Brien extended the conversation to a broader societal issue, stating that athletes are not the only ones facing such hostility online. He emphasised the need for societal change and discussed the existing legislation regarding online threats. He noted that these matters are now with law enforcement, referencing a previous instance in 2021 where two men were charged for sending threats to NRL player Latrell Mitchell through social media.
In conclusion, while Schiller’s on-field performance improved significantly in the second half, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the darker side of sports culture and the urgent need to address online abuse.