Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith has blasted the Sydney crowd over the treatment of Billy Slater in his last ever NRL match on Sunday.
The fullback had hoped for a fairytale ending to his 319-game career with a third premiership but it wasn’t to be.
Before, during, and after the match, Slater was constantly heckled with boos from the 82,668 supporters at Sydney’s ANZ stadium.
Billy Slater (pictured, middle) had hoped for a fairytale ending to his 319-game career with a third premiership but it wasn’t to be
Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith (pictured) has blasted the Sydney crowd over the treatment of Billy Slater in his last ever NRL match on Sunday
Even before he stepped onto the field for the last time, his send off turned sour as Sydney fans booed him from the stands as his name was read.
The heckling began during the pre-game ceremony for the retiring players and continued when he was returning kicks, news.com.au reported.
When the big screens showed Slater preparing for the game in the dressing rooms, the crowd ridiculed the player some more.
There was even a chorus of booing as his final on-field interview with Brad Fittler was shown on the big screens around the stadium.
Although the Storm lost 21-6 to the Roosters, Smith said that the reaction to the fullback star wasn’t warranted.
Smith wasn’t impressed with the crowd and said that Slater deserved a better reaction than the one he was met with from the crowd.
Even before he stepped onto the field for the last time, Slater’s send off turned sour as Sydney fans booed him from the stands as his name was read
Many NRL commentators took to Twitter to express their anger over the lack of respect for Slater
He wasn’t the only person who felt that way, many NRL commentators took to Twitter to express their anger over the lack of respect.
‘The booing of Billy Slater after the grand final is appalling,’ one user wrote.
Another user commented on the maturity of the Sydney fans: ‘How about those Sydney fans… a classy bunch’.
‘Cameron Smith just said Billy Slater deserved more respect from the fans who were booing him at ANZ Stadium tonight. Fair comment. He has earned that,’ another said.
Before, during, and after the match, Slater (pictured, right) was constantly heckled with boos from the 82,668 supporters at Sydney’s ANZ stadium (left is Cameron Smith)