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‘Think how it would affect your kids': Champion's call against vile abuse

‘Think how it would affect your kids': Champion's call against vile abuse

The Age20-06-2025
Upon her unveiling as the Brisbane Broncos co-captain, Ali Brigginshaw has issued a palpable message to those who have taken to social media in a series of vile attacks on players.
'My message is if you're writing a comment, think about how it would affect your kids or your partner at home, because they're the people it's affecting,' Brigginshaw warned.
'I can cop most things and try not to read them, but when you go home and see your family upset that's when it hits home.'
This was the first chance Brigginshaw had taken to address the abuse she received following Queensland's defeat in the women's State of Origin series, with her wife revealing the family had received messages to 'kill themselves'.
Incidents of threatening comments issued to New South Wales star Liam Wright and Newcastle winger James Schiller have followed, as Brigginshaw lamented 'it does happen to every player'.
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The 35-year-old revealed she removed herself from social media for five weeks following the attacks, claiming it was 'probably the best five weeks I've had' and admitting she will likely do the same throughout the NRLW season.
'You can be flying and nothing will affect you, and then that day you wake up when things aren't going your way it can really affect you,' Brigginshaw said.
'I didn't expect to feel the way I did – I always see myself as quite a tough player and am able to cope with most challenge. But in the pressure and the moment I was in, it hit me hard.'
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