Ali Brigginshaw, a legend of Australian women’s rugby league, is at the center of a powerful conversation on mental health and online abuse, after her wife Kate Brigginshaw publicly called out the “disgusting” treatment the couple has faced on social media.

Brigginshaw, 35, is a veteran of the Brisbane Broncos, a State of Origin champion with Queensland, and a dual World Cup winner with the Jillaroos. But despite her legendary status, a string of uncharacteristic performances this year has invited not just criticism—but an appalling level of personal attacks. Some of these messages were so disturbing, they reportedly included encouragements to self-harm, targeting both Ali and her family.

Taking to Instagram, Kate pulled back the curtain on the emotional toll the abuse has taken. “Mental health affects everyone, in particular athletes,” she wrote. “Bashing people on social media isn’t cool… You think you’re showing something bad about someone else when you’re really showing something bad about yourself.”

Kate, who has been married to Ali since 2021, described how fans who publicly support mental health awareness are often the same ones who leave cruel and derogatory messages in private. She urged people to reflect on whether they’d say the same words to someone they love.

The backlash reportedly intensified after Queensland lost the second State of Origin game 26–6, surrendering the series to New South Wales. Brigginshaw, who played in the halves for the first two matches, was moved to lock for the final game—a tactical shift as Queensland looks to salvage pride in Game 3 at McDonald Jones Stadium on May 29.

Amid the controversy, fans and fellow players across the NRL and NRLW communities have rallied in support. One fan wrote on X, “Ali has done more for international women’s sport than any bloke in this comment section. She’s a role model for our daughters.” Another called those behind the messages “gutless dogs who need the book thrown at them.”

Even with doubts over her recent form, selectors handed Brigginshaw a chance at redemption—a possible Origin swan song—in the final game of the series. It’s a move many hope will give her the send-off she deserves, while also allowing her to silence critics on her own terms.

Since debuting in 2018 for the Maroons, Brigginshaw has played 11 Origin games, 25 Tests for Australia, and 33 matches for the Broncos, earning a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors in the women’s game. But her latest battle is off the field—and it’s one many athletes know too well: the fight for mental health in the age of digital vitriol.

As Game 3 approaches, Brigginshaw carries more than a state’s pride—she carries the hopes of every athlete who’s ever been broken by a keyboard warrior, but stood tall anyway.