NRLW player under investigation over post about Queen's death

Newcastle NRLW player Caitlin Moran is under investigation by the NRL Integrity Unit after sparking backlash with a post discussing the death of the Queen on social media.

The 25-year-old, an Indigenous All-Star and former Jillaroos player, took to Instagram in the wake of the death of Queen Elizabeth II to share a post with her thoughts that has since been deleted.

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“Todays a good fkn day, uncle Luke announces his tour, and this dumb dog dies Happpy fkn Friday,” Moran wrote, with her comment generating substantial criticism from the likes of radio host Ray Hadley.

Moran will be allowed to take the field when the Knights face the Roosters on Sunday, with a meeting with the Integrity Unit slated for next week.

Hadley was left furious about the decision to allow Moran to play, telling radio station 4BC he had 'agonised' over the decision to discuss the post on air.

“It’s perhaps the most reprehensible thing I’ve ever seen connected to rugby league,” Hadley said.

“If she plays tomorrow it will be a disgrace of monumental proportions.”

Moran deleted the story from her Instagram roughly eight hours after it was posted.

“The NRL became aware of the post on Friday 9 September,” an NRL spokesperson said.

“The Newcastle Knights were contacted immediately and enquiries commenced by the NRL Integrity Unit.”

Moran is a big inclusion for the Knights and will start at fullback against the Roosters in place of the injured Tamika Upton.

The 25-year-old made her NRLW debut last weekend after suffering an ACL injury in 2018, a year after she played for Australia.

The minor premiership is up for grabs between the Roosters and Knights at Allianz Stadium.

Queen controversy strikes both NRLW and AFLW

The controversy surrounding Moran comes as the AFLW also attracted criticism for their decision not to hold a minute's silence for the Queen.

In a case of unfortunate timing, the AFLW is hosting its Indigenous Round in the days after the Queen's passing, with the league opting against holding a similar tribute to those seen during the AFL semi-finals on Friday and Saturday night.

A tribute went ahead prior to Friday night's match between the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle, but other planned tributes for the rest of the round were subsequently scrapped.

Western Bulldogs director Belinda Duarte, herself a Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, said the concept of commemorating the Queen's life during Indigenous Round had 'unearthed deep wounds'.

“While for many Australians it’s seen as appropriate to recognise the significance of the Queen’s passing, we must understand what this brings up for First Peoples, the impact of colonisation and what the monarchy represents to us and our families,” Duarte said.

Meanwhile, GWS kickstarted their season with a commanding 47-point derby triumph over Sydney in the first-ever AFLW match at the SCG.

Nicola Barr was the spark for the Giants as she booted two first-half goals in an electric first game of the season that helped set up a 9.11 (65) to 2.6 (18) victory on Saturday.

The inaugural No.1 draft pick, Barr again put her name in the record books when she snapped the opening major of the match to become the first goalkicker in an AFLW Sydney Derby.

The Swans (0-3) made a bright start but could only manage two behinds before the Giants (1-2) worked into the game and the floodgates soon opened.

The experienced Giants midfield proved too slick on the outside and finished on top 246-170 in disposals, as Alyce Parker (22 possessions) and captain Alicia Eva (19) led the way.

With AAP

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