NRLW star Julia Robinson the target of more online abuse

A heartbroken Julia Robinson has revealed she was targeted by trolls last week, less than two months after she was the victim of vile abuse from people who criticised her appearance.

Peter Sterling and Mitch Moses.

A heartbroken Julia Robinson has revealed she was targeted by trolls last week, less than two months after she was the victim of vile abuse from people who criticised her appearance.

The Broncos winger was snapped on the red carpet at last week’s Dally M Awards after a terrific season in the NRLW, but instead of celebrating her achievements, some people felt the need to try to drag her down.

It’s the second time this year she’s copped online abuse after she called out trolls who attacked one of her posts on Instagram ahead of the most recent NRLW season.

“It just hurts,” Robinson said. “It’s happened twice now.

Some of the sickening comments Julia Robinson received online.

“It hurts because I feel like I’m a nice person and I know that I’d never say anything bad to someone else. It hurts because no one likes to be called names or called mean things.

“It’s sad to know that it’s still happening in today’s society, where strong women have to be criticised and some people find it horrible to see a girl with muscles.

“That shouldn’t be a bad thing, and that’s why I said in my first post that it just shows my hard work and dedication. Without that, I wouldn’t be here today.

“It should be acknowledged a lot more; how good it is to see women being fit and healthy.”

Broncos teammate Ali Brigginshaw says she will always be there to support Robinson, but fears online abuse could be an ongoing trend for female athletes.

Broncos stars Amber Hall, Tarryn Aiken, Ali Brigginshaw, Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Julia Robinson before the season. Picture: Adam Head

“I don’t think it ever will stop,” the Jillaroos legend said.

“It’s sad and it hurts to see all these comments.

“I think every player cops it every time they take the field, but it means our game is growing and the profile of these girls is growing.

“For every positive comment, there are going to be people who want to bring you down. As soon as you get to the top, there are so many people who want to be there, and how they react comes down to jealousy.

“When you’re a female athlete, it’s all about supporting each other. We all have her back.”

Robinson says she was overwhelmed by the support she received from not only footy players, but also stars from other codes and strangers who reached out to her on social media.

It’s reminiscent of what Tayla Harris went through in AFLW when she was attacked over a photo which showed off her perfect kicking technique.

Tayla Harris was abused for her kicking style. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Trolling is a hot topic not just for athletes but for society in general, and Robinson says negative comments from faceless keyboard warriors can lead to extreme outcomes.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the people who have supported me,” Robinson said.

“It shows that I do have such an amazing group of people around me, but it’s also people I don’t know who have reached out.

“I’ve had athletes from all other codes supporting me, but also supporting the actual situation and that it’s an important topic to talk about.

“We need to change people’s mindsets on how they talk on social media. It was such bad timing because it happened around the time of Paul Green’s death and there was such a big focus on mental health.

“Stuff like this can trigger people.

Julia Robinson has starred for the Broncos and Maroons, and will now make her World Cup debut. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I’m lucky because I know I wouldn’t go down that road, but these people who are posting stuff have no idea how others are going to react. You can’t just go trolling people on social media because you don’t know what’s going on in their lives.

“I’m proud of myself and I’m never going to change for anyone.”

Robinson fought back tears during the chat, but she was all smiles as she spoke about how honoured she was to be part of the Jillaroos’ squad for the World Cup.

The winger has triple checked her passport as she prepares to head overseas for the first time, just four years after she started playing rugby league.

“It means the world to me,” she said. “I’ve ticked off a massive bucket list moment.”

Eels legend slams ugly post-grand final trolls

-Brent Read

Parramatta legend Peter Sterling has hit out at the social media trolls who turned the grand final into a nightmare for the teenager who stood by his side at the delivery of the premiership trophy.

The Eels local, who has requested that his name be withheld, has spent the days since grand final night on the back foot after being targeted over an apparent handshake mix-up with Sterling.

After the trophy was brought onto the ground, Sterling reached for the teenager’s hand but he was he acknowledging the crowd.

Parramatta legend Peter Sterling with Mitch Moses. Picture: David Swift

Sterling then took his hand but footage of the moment ended up on social media. Sterling insisted the confusion was his mistake and said he would be bitterly disappointed if any of the trolling was instigated by Eels fans.

“I am gutted for him that what should have been a memorable moment has been turned into a forgettable one,” Sterling said.

“He has had to shut down his social media accounts. He’s copped abuse. I would be horrified if they were Parramatta supporters.

“If they are, they are not the type of people I wanted associated with our club. I just want to get it across that he did nothing wrong.

“I am gutted for him.”

Sterling has spoken to the teenager and his mother to show his support in the days since Sunday night. He has urged people to back off.

“I don’t want to put a target on his back but it would be nice for people to know that he was only doing what he was asked to do.

“I was the one who changed the plan by shaking his hand. There’s no way he would have been expecting that.

“To cop abuse the vitriol after that defies belief. He did nothing wrong. I have spoken to him and he was extremely polite and respectful.”