Paul Gallen had to ‘block a million people’ after copping ‘ridiculous’ abuse over a simple photo on social media
- Paul Gallen posted a photo of himself at lunch
- Was stunned by the ‘abuse’ he received as a result
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NRL legend Paul Gallen says he was forced to block ‘a million people’ after receiving an astonishing amount of backlash over a simple social media post last week.
The former Cronulla Sharks captain – who won the team’s first premiership as skipper in 2016 – uploaded a photo of himself having lunch with former Prime Minister and No. 1 ticket holder Scott Morrison, unaware of the storm this would bring. cause.
“I tell you what, I put it on my social media and there are a lot of people who don’t like ScoMo – I was shocked,” Gallen said. Channel Nine.
“It was ridiculous, I blocked a million people… it was crazy.
‘It was nice to be at ScoMo, we had a good day.’
Sharks legend Paul Gallen was shocked by the amount of abuse he received last week for posting a photo on social media
Gallen uploaded a photo of himself having lunch with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) to Instagram – and faced a wave of criticism
Morrison, a diehard Sharks fan, made headlines last week after giving back his No. 1 ticket holder status bestowed on him by the club.
The ex-prime minister was given the honorary title when he served as treasurer in 2016, the same year the Sharks delivered long-suffering fans a first NRL premiership.
But after announcing his resignation from politics in February, triggering a by-election in his seat of Cook, he decided to return honorary status.
In 2010, Mr Morrison famously stated ‘the Sharks have (his) loyalty’. But by 2023, the club was reportedly considering revoking its No. 1 status due to the Robodebt scandal.
At the time, Morrison strongly rejected the royal commission’s findings into the failed $750 million debt recovery program, which was described as a “crude and cruel mechanism” that left people feeling like “criminals”.
While he made the announcement during the week, the Sharks waited until game day against the Bulldogs on Friday to make it official for fans.
The ground announcer at PointsBet Stadium made the announcement just before half-time, leaving a noticeable silence as fans thought Morrison’s replacement would be named.
‘They announced over the loudspeaker at Shark Park that Scott Morrison was officially no longer the number one Cronulla Sharks ticket golfer while he was in da house. It was brutal.’ one fan posted with a laughing emoji.
Morrison is a Sharks diehard and recently relinquished his status as the club’s No. 1 ticket holder
Gallen described the reaction to the simple photo as ‘ridiculous’ and ‘crazy’
“Everyone was waiting for the replacement and nothing.”
“It sounds like they really wanted to leave it to him,” another Sharks supporter added.
“Best thing to happen to Sharks fans since 2016,” wrote another.
Morrison posted a message this week announcing why he is returning his No. 1 ticket holder status to the Sharks and vowing to continue supporting the club.
“I look forward to continuing to be a passionate supporter (of the Sharks) for years to come… We are so proud of our history and so excited about our future,” he posted on social media.
Morrison said he was pleased to have his support for the club as the local MP, treasurer and prime minister had “been helpful” but made the decision after leaving politics.
The former Liberal leader announced earlier this year that he would take on a new role as vice chairman of security firm American Global Strategies after leaving parliament.
Mr Morrison will also take up a position as strategic advisor to asset manager DYNE, a role he will fill alongside former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The South Sydney native has been a long-time supporter of the Sharks and even referenced their theme song in his farewell speech to Parliament, saying: “And, as always – up, up Cronulla.”