The Brisbane Broncos have found themselves at the centre of a fierce online debate after inviting Ben Roberts-Smith into the club’s dressing room following Sunday’s shock loss to the Dragons.
The former SAS corporal and Victoria Cross recipient was spotted inside Brisbane’s sheds after the Broncos slumped to a 30-26 defeat at Suncorp Stadium, becoming the first team to lose to St George Illawarra this season.
Roberts-Smith later revealed he attended the match with his daughters as guests of the club.
‘The Broncos invited my daughters today because of all the things they have been through and we were very grateful,’ he said.
The visit quickly sparked debate online, with supporters and critics clashing over whether it was appropriate for the Broncos to host Roberts-Smith while he fights serious criminal charges.
Roberts-Smith was arrested at Sydney Airport in April and charged with five counts of war crime murder. He has categorically denied the allegations and is expected to vigorously contest the charges.
Ben Roberts-Smith attended the Broncos’ 30-26 NRL loss to the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium as a guest
The former SAS soldier was invited into Brisbane’s dressing room after the stunning defeat
Roberts-Smith said the Broncos also invited his daughters to Sunday’s match against the Dragons
The Daily Mail reviewed dozens of comments posted across Facebook and X after news of the visit emerged, with opinion sharply divided.
Many fans defended Roberts-Smith and argued he should continue to be treated as innocent until proven guilty.
Others described him as a war hero and said the Broncos were right to welcome him into the dressing room.
Some supporters argued his military experience and leadership credentials made him an ideal guest to speak to players after a disappointing defeat.
Several commenters questioned why Roberts-Smith’s presence was attracting criticism while Broncos star Ezra Mam remained part of the club following his own well-publicised legal troubles.
Mam was fined and had his licence disqualified after pleading guilty to driving unlicensed and testing positive for drugs following a car crash in Brisbane in October 2024.
The incident injured a young girl and led to Mam serving a lengthy NRL suspension before returning to first-grade football.
One fan wrote: ‘I’d prefer a hero than Ezra Mam in my shed.’
Ezra Mam’s legal troubles became a major talking point during the online debate over Roberts-Smith attending the Broncos match
Some Brisbane Broncos fans praised Roberts-Smith’s military service and leadership experience
Others said the Broncos should have avoided the controversy altogether, with the trial set to continue
Another added: ‘They let Mam in.’
Others were more emphatic in their support, writing: ‘He’s a hero!’, ‘War horse. Always welcome that soldier,’ and ‘They should be proud of having a decorated soldier in their sheds.’
A recurring theme among supporters was the belief Roberts-Smith should not be judged before his case is heard in court.
‘Whatever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?’ one supporter wrote.
Another added: ‘Man is innocent until proven guilty.’
Critics, however, questioned the Broncos’ decision to invite Roberts-Smith at all.
Some argued the club should have avoided the controversy given the charges he currently faces, while others mocked the timing of the visit after Brisbane’s upset loss.
One described the decision as ‘very very poor form’.
Others said the decision was ‘tone deaf’, ‘bloody disgusting’ and ‘stupid’.
The appearance came through Roberts-Smith’s relationship with Broncos welfare manager Adam Walsh, a former SAS soldier.
Walsh and Roberts-Smith served in the military and have maintained a connection since leaving the armed forces.
