Walls are closing in on social-media attackers
quite energetic for us,” the Cowboys coach said.
“But I always had in the back of my mind that Reuben Cotter would come back on to the bench. It’s about developing these young guys. Much like Emry Pere getting his opportunity for Gavin Cooper, I just want to have a bit of a rotational policy on our bench.
“Reuben did nothing wrong the last time he was in the side, so I thought we’d get Reuben back in there and let him have a crack.”
While he is yet to claim a win since beginning his tenure as head coach a month ago, Hannay said he did not feel the pressure mounting.
“I was saying to someone the other day, even a tough day in this industry and this role you’re still in a position, and it’s a privilege, to have an impact on young men’s lives.
“It’s a rewarding gig. What I love most about this job is getting the most out of people.
“While we haven’t had the wins, I certainly see and feel I’m getting the most out of the people in the building. ”
ANTHONY Seibold will return to Brisbane training next Monday with a list of names he can personally choose to sue for vile social-media attacks on the Broncos coach.
Seibold’s lawyer Dave Garratt believes the Broncos coach is a test case for high-profile Australian sports stars and identities who are regularly subjected to brutal and baseless personal comments on social media.
Because of their sheer expanse, platforms such as Twitter and Facebook have often been seen as a safe haven for social-media trolls.
Not a day goes by that some NRL player or coach isn’t defamed with disgraceful attacks from keyboard warriors emboldened by the belief their personal thoughts are immune to litigation because it’s all too hard for victims to track down social-media perpetrators.
But the Seibold saga is compelling evidence the worldwide social media net is closing and standards are being established.
With the financial help of the Broncos, Garratt engaged overseas cybersecurity experts to look into the vicious remarks about Seibold’s private life.
In less than a week, from 16,000km away in Europe, hitech hounds have compiled a hit-list of Seibold’s socialmedia trolls. Some have solid links to the NRL industry.
“The allegations against Anthony are ridiculous,” Garratt says.
“But I think Anthony’s stance could set a precedent.
“When you bring family into it and really malicious allegations against someone that damages their reputation, for sure there are grounds for defamation. It’s getting to the point now where the days for keyboard warriors are hopefully numbered.”
Since Seibold’s decision to hire a lawyer and lodge a complaint with Queensland police, Garratt has been talking to European cybersecurity investigators daily.
“They started leads,” Garratt said. with
“That’s how widespread this (Seibold slurs) had become.”
Despite the emotional turbulence surrounding his future at the Broncos, Seibold is determined to nail his socialmedia trolls.
“I’m expecting to have a final outcome very soon,” Garratt said. “I have spoken with Anthony. Everyone thinks we are coming up with a smoking gun today (Wednesday) but that’s not the case. My advice … is not to rush this.
“They are quite forensic in how they do it. They aren’t committing any crimes by law or doing anything illegal, but they are watching people’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.
“They aren’t breaking into people’s phones, but they are watching chat groups and since it was reported that Anthony had engaged the cybersecurity company, there has been more traffic on those platforms, so they are watching people talk.
“They told me that the day Anthony went to the police, one account was shut down and everything deleted immediately, including old messages ... but the cybersecurity people picked all this up.”
The next time a fan considers a racial slur, they might think twice before hitting the send button.