- Man charged over allegedly sending Knights player death threats
- James Schiller received death threats during Newcastle’s win
A 20-year-old man has been charged by NSW police for allegedly sending death threats and abusive messages to Newcastle star James Schiller after last week’s match.
Schiller, just 23 years old with only 27 first-grade appearances to his name, was targeted with a string of vile messages following his team’s dramatic comeback win over Manly.
The abuse came despite Newcastle pulling off their biggest turnaround in 18 years, recovering from a 16-0 halftime deficit to claim a 26-22 golden point victory in front of their home fans.
Schiller, who played out of position at left centre, was targeted both on the field and online after a tough first half defending against the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans, Reuben Garrick and Haumole Olakau’atu.
Forced into unfamiliar territory, Schiller was heavily tested on his edge and finished the half with five errors, two penalties conceded and four missed tackles – leading some fans to harshly single him out for criticism.
On social media, several accounts piled on, labelling him ‘one of the worst NRL players I’ve ever seen,’ and claiming he ‘wouldn’t stand out for Taree Turtles reserve grade.’
A man has been charged over allegedly sending Knights player James Schiller death threats
Abuse aimed at young NRL players continues to spark debate around online behaviour and athlete mental health support
But one message crossed well beyond the line of fair criticism, and Schiller decided to share it publicly.
‘Count your days c*** I will end your f***ing life,’ the message read, sent to his Instagram inbox early in the second half.
Even after the Knights sealed victory, the same account continued to abuse him and add some shocking homophobic comments involving former Origin star Dane Gagai as well.
‘Doesn’t make up for it even though you won. 5 errors, 2 penalties, 1 six again and partridge in a pear tree I hope Dane [Gagai] jams his c*** down your throat and you choke and die.’
Schiller posted screenshots of the messages to his Instagram story, drawing attention to the darker side of fan behaviour at a time when mental health support for young men and athletes is being heavily promoted across the country.
Lake Macquarie police arrested and charged a man over the matter on Friday.
He was charged with use of carriage service to menace, harass or offend.
The man was granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, July 30.
Schiller scored in the second half despite a rough start, helping inspire the Knights’ 26-22 win
Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien was clearly frustrated by the jeering on the night and didn’t hold back in his post-match press conference.
‘It’s disappointing, it’s really disappointing,’ O’Brien said.
‘I know the scoreline is not what they want, but to boo the effort that went into that first half from a really young team, the people that booed don’t know anything about rugby league.’
‘They’re probably the ones that cheered at the end too and that really disappoints me because a lot of the first half we defended our hearts out.’
‘I know people are disappointed with us, but they’re trying their backsides off,’ he added.
He said the threats against his player were a concern.
‘That is worrying,’ O’Brien said.
‘I want to protect them … and for him to go through that over a couple of errors … it’s a game of footy.
‘He’s got a family. That’s partly the reason why you do want to protect them. ‘I think it’s a societal problem, isn’t it? It’s not just football players who are getting that sort of stuff. ‘I understand there is some legislation, and I think at the moment it’s in the hands of authorities to try and help in this situation with James.
‘We need to be able to stop people doing it, change their thought process before doing it.’
