MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Roosters fans online death threats over poor Daly Cherry-Evans debut is disgraceful

I copped a fair bit abuse from rival fans during my playing days – most of it hurled from a safe distance with a fence and security guards protecting the “brave” losers from retribution.

Some of the language I heard at places like Newcastle and the old Lang Park would make a wharfie blush, yet we were repeatedly told to turn the other cheek.

I managed to do that …most of the time.

I don’t know what possesses a fan to call players out like that, but I can at least write some it off to good old fashion passion and hatred for the opposition.

But what I don’t get – and will never understand – are the dickheads who go over that line and viciously turn on their team when things don’t go to plan.

My old sparring partner Daly Cherry-Evans copped the brunt of the abuse after a forgettable debut for the Roosters against the Warriors on Friday night.

DCE had a shocker – no argument – but the pile on online after just one game was something else.

No one deserves that sort of treatment.

The Roosters were right to call it out, but I’d like to see the NRL really take the ball up and do more to eradicate this scourge.

It made me sick to the stomach to later read the Sydney Roosters had to put out a statement asking for calm after some fans issued online death threats to the players.

“While we appreciate the love and the passion that comes with sport, we will not tolerate death threats towards our players,” the post read.

“Rugby League is a game that we all love and at the end of the day don’t let it ruin your day. Peace and Love.”

Death threats? WTAF?

I pride myself on being forthright when assessing a team’s performance or the form of a big-name player.

I go hard at times in this column and in other areas of the media and have received my fair share of angry texts and phone calls.

That’s ok. If you dish it out, you have to be prepared to cop the occasional whack across the chops.

And at least I put my name to what I say and write, unlike the anonymous cowards attacking the Roosters.

Rugby league is a hard game played by hard men.

The NRL tests you physically and mentally every week and only the strongest survive.

But it’s not a warzone where lives are at stake.

We play a sport that hopefully puts a smile on people’s faces while they enjoy an escape at the end of the working week.

Defeat hurts but these weak-as-piss keyboard warriors, who never laced up a boot, are somehow allowed to post abuse without retribution.

Can you imagine what it’s like for family members reading some of this stuff?

The Roosters were right to call it out, but I’d like to see the NRL really take the ball up and do more to eradicate this scourge.

As much as I’d like to sometimes, I know we can’t get rid of social media completely.

But maybe fans need to go through some sort of verification process before they are allowed to post comments on the club’s page.

Either that or send the online abusers my way for some free rehabilitation, Spudd-style.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

The dust had now settled on round one and my concerns over Brisbane haven’t evaporated.

They were poor in the World Club Challenge and were out of synch against Penrith in the 24-0 loss on Friday night.

Winning a premiership is hard enough - defending a title is harder still.

You could tell the Panthers were the hungrier of the two teams and the Broncos weren’t willing to do all the little, less glamourous, things that win games.

Having produced many great comebacks on their way to the title last year, they just thought they could flick the switch and all would be good.

It’s not that easy.

You can fool yourself you are giving it everything when in reality you are taking short cuts.

That’s where Brisbane are at the moment and they need to get out of this mini rut before it becomes fatal.

The Eels are the other big worries for mine.

They went into the new season with great momentum after winning the pre-season comp but looked as though they were meeting for the first time as Melbourne did what they pleased.

That try Harry Grant scored through the middle of the ruck said it all for me.

It was junior league stuff.

The Eels’ care factor in defence was zero and that’s what will hurt coach Jason Ryles more than anything.

My two biggest disappointments will meet on Thursday when Parra travel to Brisbane to start round two.

It’s only early March but I’d hate to be in the losing dressing-room come fulltime.

If both coaches don’t see a decent response this week, some serious questions will be asked, and the pressure will go up a notch.

The Titans were the other major round one letdown but was anyone really surprised?

Not me.

Take a photo of Josh Hannay now because he will age 100 years coaching this mob.