NSW captain Paul Gallen has distanced himself from a fake Facebook posting made under his name lending support to his under-pressure State of Origin counterpart Cameron Smith.
Smith came under fire during the Nine Network’s 60 Minutes special on Alex McKinnon on Sunday.
McKinnon expressed his disgust at comments Smith made as he was carried off AAMI Park in March last year, following the tackle that left him paralysed.
In a post on Facebook under the name of Paul Gallen on Monday read the comment: “Here’s Cam Smith helping raise money for Alex McKinnon a year ago. How quickly it was forgotten. Grub journalism.”
Under the post was a picture of Australian and Queensland captain Smith and Gallen promoting the NRL’s Rise For Alex round last year.
However the posting was a hoax, with Gallen later taking to Twitter to say it had nothing to do with him.
“Getting plenty of txt/calls about a face book acc put up as me with comments about last nights story. I DO NOT have any face book accounts,” Gallen wrote.
In the 60 Minutes program, McKinnon was shown footage of the aftermath of the tackle that ended his NRL career – as he was carried off the ground Melbourne skipper Smith continued to argue with referee Gerard Sutton over the penalty given for the tackle.
“If he doesn’t duck his head that doesn’t happen, anyone who ducks their head now is that going to be a penalty?” Smith can be heard saying over the referee’s microphone. “Is he still debating, is he f***ing serious?” McKinnon asks.
“Wouldn’t you just shut up. You see someone with eight, nine people around them and you want to debate a f***ing penalty
“That’s the Australian captain there … so well done … it is f***ing ridiculous.”
McKinnon said he had not heard from Smith since the incident.
“I don’t know whether he has tried to make contact through the club but if Jordan McLean (who was suspended for his role in the tackle which resulted in McKinnon becoming a quadriplegic) can make contact … I haven’t heard anything from him (Smith).
“I’m not angry, it just reassures the type of person that he is, at least Jordan reached out.”
McKinnon’s comments have provoked a strong reaction across the rugby league world ahead of Wednesday’s State of Origin decider in Brisbane, both supporting and critical of Smith.
Smith is understood to be upset about the situation, including the fact he wasn’t given a right of reply to McKinnon’s comments by Channel Nine.
Smith is in camp with the Maroons and is yet to respond to the comments.
NSW coach Laurie Daley declined to comment on the situation in his media conference on Monday, out of respect to both McKinnon and Smith.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Why should the Maroons and the QRL boycott channel nine ? This was a Storm versus Knights game. Smith also plays for the Kangaroos, does this mean all Kangaroo players boycott nine aswell ?
Jay C
Roar Guru
Haha. Good one. Does your Mum know your using the computer?
Jay C
Roar Guru
NSW's players came to his aid. It must be awesome to leave completely outside of reality.
pjm
Roar Rookie
That'll teach dem paraplegics.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Who did he throw under the bus?
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Just like how karmichael threw all his QLD buddies under the bus last week
Jay C
Roar Guru
Queenslanders are never alone. I think all of Queensland is deeper in his corner now than ever.
Jara W
Guest
Seriously? City Country is an Origin audition again is it? I don't remember this years game cause I don't give two hoots about it. But I'd be willing to bet a chunk of NSWs 17 weren't playing. Selection in City Country means your in the top 34 up and comers. Hardly an old body on the field these days.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I personally feel like QLD Rugby League, The Maroons and anyone associated with them should boycott all Channel 9 promotions. Don't do interviews. Lock the dressing room. Don't say 1 word to anyone from Channel 9. Go out and promote hard with everyone but.
Jara W
Guest
Seriously? City Country is an Origin audition again is it? I don't remember this years game cause I don't give two hoots about it. But I'd be willing to bet a chunk of NSWs 17 weren't
Jay C
Roar Guru
Best. Retraction. Ever. :)
Squidward
Roar Rookie
You should see the rest of the content on the page. No wonder he is distancing himself from it and I'm amazed people thought it was real. Some real sick stuff on it
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Well him playing for country should mean he's in the 34 at minimum in their sights
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
"Gallen Dragged Into McKinnon Drama" First off James , let me say the predicament young Alex finds himself in IS NOT a Drama and secondly , just because some low life creates a fake facebook page it in no way makes Paul Gallen a participant in the living horror that Alex must endure everyday. This "story" is nothing more than a re-hash of many other "stories" that are popping up from "journalists" eager to ride the coattails of a tragedy .
Phill
Guest
This video clears his name .... https://www.facebook.com/NRLmemesandnews/videos/1020407267992333/
Renegade
Roar Guru
:)
Slamming Sam
Guest
Justin Poore
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
"I don't follow Gal on social media". Very good sir!
Phill
Guest
No a NSW player walked up to Price after he was knocked out and grabbed him by the scruff of the shirt, lifted his limp body realised he was unconscious and then just dropped him on his head slapping the ground and walked away, laughed and high5's his team mates. I am talking about that incident.
Casper
Guest
Interesting angle here, are the blues bringing McKinnon into camp to conveniently unsettle the Qld captain and camp. Not like Alex was in their sights as a player when he was at the Knights. Let McKinnon sue the NRL but I see it as a bit suss with the timing of the show and convenient press releases when Qld are in camp. Smells like a Gus and loz conspiracy.