A week after Queensland’s game two loss to NSW in the Women’s State of Origin series, the wife of Maroons and Brisbane captain Ali Brigginshaw has pleaded for the negativity directed at her family on social media to end.
The Blues are gunning for a clean sweep next Thursday at McDonald Jones Stadium, after winning the opening two clashes 22-12 and 26-6.
The results have sparked a backlash online, with Kate Brigginshaw, who has been married to Ali since 2021, revealing the Queensland skipper has been subjected to vile abuse online.
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In a post on Instagram, Kate revealed her family has received messages to “kill themselves” in addition to other insults.
“Mental health affects everyone, in particular athletes,” she wrote.
Ali Brigginshaw’s wife hit out on social media. Instagram
“Anyone in the public eye is aware they open themselves up to opinion and scrutiny, however there is a fine line between a reasonable comment/dm and what is honestly far beyond anything even remotely reasonable, which is what Ali and our family have been subjected to for the last month.”
While there were fears Brigginshaw may have played her last game in a Maroons jersey after the game two defeat, the veteran was selected at lock for the final game of the series.
Lauren Brown has been named in the halves with Tarryn Aiken, with lock Keilee Joseph the player to drop out of the 17 for Queensland.
Watch the 2025 Women’s State of Origin series live and free on Nine and 9Now.
“Bashing people on social media isn’t cool,” the post continued.
“You think you’re showing something bad about someone else when you’re really showing something bad about yourself.
“Normal people don’t go around vomiting hate about individuals they know absolutely nothing about, or send derogatory, sexist or cruel dms encouraging someone to kill themselves.
“Ironically, the same people showing support for MH (mental health) awareness and ‘it ain’t weak to speak’ are the same people leaving comments and sending those disgusting dms.
“It is incredibly damaging and dangerous and I seriously encourage all those who do participate to think before leaving a comment or sending a dm about whether they would say those things to someone they loved.”
There was some concern Brigginshaw might not be selected for game three, but selectors have given the veteran star a chance at an Origin swansong.
Brigginshaw has been a stalwart of the Queensland line-up since her debut in 2018, having alternated between halfback and lock throughout her Origin career.
