RLPA poll highlights worrying trend, Brisbane Broncos could use a little bit of Ben Te’o’s tough love

An astonishing number of NRL players have reported being abused for doing what they love, their only crime seemingly to make a mistake, the NRL must act against these faceless critics,writes BRENT READ.

At first glance, the numbers are jarring. Six per cent of players in the NRL have been the subject of racism. That’s, on average, around two at every club.

Then you throw in the players who have been the subject of targeted abuse and the number doubles across the code.

The results, in an exclusive poll conducted by News Corp Australia in partnership with the Rugby League Players’ Association, are a brutal reminder of the work that still needs to be done to educate rugby league fans and wider society.

The poll is the most extensive ever undertaken by the code.

This wasn’t a smattering of players or a small cross-section of the game’s elite. More than 450 players responded and their voice needs to be heard on a range of issues.

The players also raised concerns over media coverage, player agents and the NRL’s treatment of player, as opposed to club, breaches of the rules.

Yet the most cutting and concerning result involves the ongoing abuse that players in the code are forced to endure regularly.

The soft option would be to write it off as a few trolls on social media.

The fact that 14 per cent of players in the game have been singled out suggests it is wider than that. Four players at every club amounts to nearly 70 players across the NRL.

It is an astonishing number of players who have been abused for doing what they love, their only crime seemingly to make a mistake or play for an opposing team.

In the case of Warriors half Chanel Harris-Tavita, a missed shot at goal earlier this year meant he was on the receiving end of vile abuse.

Others have been attacked for dropping a ball or missing a tackle.

Let’s call it for what it is – pathetic.

The game has become increasingly vigilant when it comes to racism and abuse in recent years, but the number suggests numerous incidents are going unreported.

For every Latrell Mitchell or Shaun Johnson who call out their abusers, there must be many more players who suffer in silence, preferring to ignore the attacks and get on with life.

Their silence shouldn’t be mistaken for a green light for them to continue.

Nor should it be a reason for the game to drop its guard when it comes to the sort of abuse that has become far too common in the modern game, where social media allows lunatics to cut loose on players, often without fear of recriminations or repercussions.

Art by Boo Bailey

Slowly but surely, that is changing.

Mitchell has been at the forefront of the riposte, holding his abusers to account. The NRL and RLPA have been by his side during those dark days, helping identify those responsible, hand them bans and calling in the police where it is deemed necessary.

A message has been sent, but more needs to be done.

While RLPA general manager of player and football operations Jamie Buhrer stressed that the overwhelming majority – 86 per cent – of players had avoided being on the receiving end, he was quick to point out that any abuse was too much.

So true.

The game needs to maintain the rage. Now is clearly not the time to be complacent.

As social media continues to grow, so will the number of faceless critics who feel they have the right to savage players.

Some would suggest the smartest thing a player can do is remove themselves from social media. Yet why should they? It is how many connect directly with their fans and in some cases, promote their sponsors and supplement their income.

The game has taken a stand against racism and abuse but it needs to continue being vigilant and protecting its greatest asset – the players.

The next attack will be one too many.

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TE’O THE RIGHT MAN TO DELIVER HOME TRUTHS TO BRONCOS

It’s been some sort of week at the Brisbane Broncos.

There are shades of Anthony Seibold’s final days about the way the club has reacted to another disappointing season, culminating in a thrashing from Melbourne and a failure to qualify for the finals.

There have been sweeping reviews – internal and external – and speculation over coach Kevin Walters, who got his side within touching distance of a premiership 12 months ago and then presided over a rabble in 2024.

Walters is a good man but the jury remains out on whether he is a great coach.

I’ll never forget the final days of Peter Sharp, first at the now-defunct the Northern Eagles and then at Manly.

At his farewell press conference, Sharpy was asked whether good blokes could be good coaches. The quick-witted Sharp shot back: “I hope so.”

Coach Kevin Walters, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

Walters has overhauled his coaching staff including the return of Ben Te’o, a tough-as-teak forward in his playing days who gives off similar vibes as a coach.

I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Ben on Triple M at times over the past couple of years and he gives the impression that he won’t mince his words if he feels things aren’t being done properly.

He has had success with the Dolphins in the Queensland Cup and he was in demand.

He chose the Broncos and from the outside looking in, the club could do with some home truths right now. Perhaps Te’o is the perfect man to deliver them.

It certainly won’t be done by the people charged with conducting external reviewers.

They may make some recommendations but it will take someone with some backbone to bring them into effect.

Walters is the man with his hand on the tiller but he will start the season under immense pressure despite the club pledging their support.

It shapes as a seminal season for one of the club’s favourite sons.

Incoming Broncos assistant coach Ben Te'o.

Walters has shown he can coach – you don’t get to a grand final by being a dud.

But one finals appearance in four years simply isn’t good enough, even if they were within minutes of winning their first premiership in more than a decade.

That bought Walters some time but it will run out pretty quickly unless he can get the Broncos off to a flyer next year. It’s a coveted job and coaches will be queuing up to take over if they sense that Walters is on shaky ground.

The first couple of months will be crucial.

On their day, the Broncos are as good as any side in the competition. Reece Walsh is an excitement machine. Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo can make magic together.

Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds are the perfect combination of brains and brilliance. Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan lead a forward pack that should more than hold its own.

It is a roster that leaves rivals green with envy. When you package it all up, the Broncos should be fighting for premierships, not conducting reviews.

Originally published as RLPA poll highlights worrying trend, Brisbane Broncos could use a little bit of Ben Te’o’s tough love