The Mole: Latrell Mitchell's mother 'sick and tired' of online trolls who make son's life 'a constant misery'
Latrell Mitchell's mother has hit out at the online trolls who are making her son's life what she calls "a constant misery".
Patricia Goolagong contacted Wide World of Sports to express her disgust at the abuse Mitchell regularly cops on social media.
It followed Mitchell posting a photo of himself and his young son on his Facebook fan page that resulted in several ugly remarks.
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Goolagong confronted the trolls and several subsequently removed their posts - which WWOS has chosen not to publish - but others only doubled down on the abuse.
"I'm just sick and tired of these cowards and the way they attack my son and make his life a constant misery," Ms Goolagong said.
Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs. Getty
"They really make his life hard and then to bring his little boy into it takes it to a whole new level. It just disgusts me and I wish I could confront these cowards face to face and see how brave they are then."
RLPA boss Clint Newton is aware of the vitriol Mitchell and others cop on social media.
"There is no place for it and we've worked with the NRL to create a space for players to come forward when they have been abused online - when it's worse than constructive criticism - and descends into outright abuse," Newton told Wide World of Sports.
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"The players can report abuse to the integrity unit and they will look into it. When it is brought forward, it will be taken seriously.
"There is no place for personal abuse of players - it's the lowest form of criticism. The NRLW players actually cop worse abuse than the men so it is very unfortunate. Latrell has been very brave in coming forward to hit out at online abuse.
"Social media is a huge asset to the game and you want the players to be on there expressing their views to the fans - not just in Australia but globally.
"Fans love to follow players so the supporters will be the losers."
RLPA chief executive Clint Newton. Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
An RLPA survey conducted last year showed 67 per cent of players who suffer abuse online do not report incidents.
The players chose to just ignore or block the trolls instead.
SECOND-GEN TEENAGER SIGNS WITH TIGERS
The nephew of former Samoan international Junior Moors has signed with the Tigers and is expected to join the club's development squad next year.
Christian Taupau-Moors, a standout for Wests Magpies in the club's juniors, was being chased by several clubs but has signed a long-term deal until the end of 2028.
A hulking 18-year-old prop, he led the Magpies' Harold Matthews Cup team to a grand final appearance last year. He was also named in the Australian-based New Zealand under 17s squad at the end of last season.
His uncle Junior played for the Panthers, Tigers and Storm before moving to England.
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Agar is alleged to have assaulted Davidson at the back of the press box in Las Vegas when the pair inadvertently crossed paths.
The NRL integrity unit has examined CCTV footage from Allegiant Stadium as well as interviewing eyewitnesses to the incident.
The men involved have presented vastly differing versions of what actually happened at half time of the Raiders vs Warriors clash in Sin City.
MAJOR BOOST FOR BLUEBAGS
Newtown Jets players celebrate their 2024 premiership. Instagram
Great news for Newtown Jets fans with a $20 million injection to improve the foundation club's iconic home, Henson Park.
The Inner West Council, NSW and Federal governments have combined to provide the funds, which will see improvements to the canteen, media box and dressing rooms.
And rugby league won't be the only beneficiaries of the improvements - the Swans' women's AFL team also now calls Henson its home.
