Tigers’ Klemmer gives thumbs down to social media

George Clarke | April 6, 2023

David Klemmer says he’s logged off social media after Wests Tigers teammate Daine Laurie landed himself in hot water for an unconscious “like”.

Fullback Laurie attracted unwanted headlines after he liked a video of Brisbane’s Selwyn Cobbo scoring a try in the Tigers’ 46-12 loss to the Broncos.

It was the latest unfortunate incident for the Tigers, who are 0-5 to start the season and had to pull an Anzac Day jersey using a stock image of American troops.

Klemmer said Laurie’s actions were innocent in nature but invited further criticism of the struggling Tigers.

“We are not travelling too well and that just becomes open slather,” Klemmer said.

“Anyone can pinpoint anything, the jersey, anything, you’re just open to it.

“I’m pretty sure him (Cobbo) and Dano are pretty close mates.

“It’s obviously not a good look and it’s just one of those things.”

Laurie was dropped to reserve grade for the heavy loss to the Broncos and hasn’t been named in the starting line-up for Easter Monday’s game against Parramatta.

After a heavily-hyped pre-season campaign, the Tigers’ season is lurching from bad to worse with a section of fans indicating they will protest against the club hierarchy on Monday.

Tigers fans have grown frustrated with their 12-year finals exile and Klemmer said players felt the brunt on their fingertips.

“I remember back in the day, you go through a rabbit hole (on social media) when you start seeing that (criticism),” Klemmer said.

“You think ‘Oh s**t and you keep going.

“You come here to training and then it’s an intense environment because you have to perform, train and keep yourself at a high standard – and then you’ve got that in the back of your mind as well.

“You have to keep the boys in a good mindset and positive as well, that’s all you can do and train hard.”