‘Filthy rotten scum’: ‘Disgusting’ act before NRL semi-final slammed

Rugby league supporters have been described as “filthy rotten scum” after several acts of incredible disrespect at the Storm-Roosters game.

Fifteen seconds. Fifteen measly seconds.

That was all the respect some rugby league fans could muster for late player, coach and administrator John McDonald at Friday night’s NRL semi-final.

Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters supporters in attendance at AAMI Park were invited to

“please join us for a moment’s silence as we remember John McDonald AM”, but it wasn’t long before the boors ruined it.

Fans shouting “come on Melbourne” and “up the Roosters” could be heard on the Fox NRL broadcast and it infuriated those who wanted to honour a man universally known as “Cracker” who was Queensland’s first Origin coach.

McDonald, a devastating centre and winger who played 13 Tests for Australia and the 1970 grand final for Manly, died aged 79 on Wednesday.

John “Cracker” McDonald. Picture: Instagram @david_crisafulli

“To those filthy pieces of s**t screaming out during the minute silence for John McDonald, I hope you get booted out, you filthy rotten scum, you could not show one minute of respect, bugger you,” wrote one Manly fan on Twitter.

“Melbourne Storm fans probably had no idea who John McDonald was but that’s no excuse for the disrespect that rang out around AAMI Park during the minute silence to acknowledge his passing. Poor form Storm fans,” added another.

Players from both team pay their respects to former player John McDonald. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Vision of the disrespect was also shared on Reddit, where the verdict was unanimous.

“Absolute flogs,” wrote one observer.

“People like that should be sent from the stadium. Disgusting,” added another.

“Throw them out,” wrote a third.

“Incredibly disrespectful and pretty sad to see,” added a fourth.

It’s becoming an annual tradition for the NRL after some fans at a Roosters-Souths game interrupted a minute’s silence for Queen Elizabeth II this time last year.

Radio DJ at 2Day FM Mike Christian took to Twitter to share his disappointment at the time: “People that yell out during a moment’s silence at sporting events are the scum of the Earth.”

The Roosters players huddle to pay their respects.

At least the Melbourne fans got one moment right as they were heard cheering in support of injured star Ryan Papenhuyzen when he was shown on the big screen later in the match.

Papenhuyzen broke the heart of the league last weekend when he fractured his right ankle in just his third game back from a knee injury that had kept him out of the game for 13 months.

But the Storm continue to forge on without him, grabbing a late try to end the Roosters’ brave run with a 18-13 win.

Storm players celebrate at full time. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

The Storm will play another preliminary final under coach Craig Bellamy as they travel to Sydney to play the two-time defending premier Penrith Panthers after pulling off a clutch finish.

After the Roosters hit the lead 13-12 with nine minutes to go, the Storm had not been able to get an even-up field goal, with Tyran Wishart’s only attempt hitting his own teammate in the back of the head.

But with time almost up, Cameron Munster went across field after he was too shallow for an attempt at the one-point, kicking to former Olympic Rugby Sevens silver medallist Will Warbrick to break the Roosters’ hearts.

After nabbing the ball out of the sky, Warbrick still had work to do, getting over and slamming the ball down.

“An unbelievable finish,” Mat Thompson said on Channel 9.

Originally published as ‘Filthy rotten scum’: ‘Disgusting’ act before NRL semi-final slammed