Latest news with #Knights
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Man who sent death threat to Knights player sought to avoid court due to 'frightening' media
AN ONLINE troll who sent a Knights player a death threat sought to avoid coming into the courthouse because he would have to face "intimidating and frightening" media cameras. Joseph Baldwin, 20, was flanked by his father and defence solicitor Robert Williams as he braved the three-strong press pack and ultimately entered Belmont Local Court in person for sentencing on Wednesday. Baldwin was convicted and fined $750 after pleading guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend Newcastle Knights winger James Schiller by sending him direct Instagram messages. "Count your days, c**t I will end your f***ing ife," Baldwin wrote from his personal account at 9.08pm on June 5 after the Knights played against Manly. "Doesn't make up for it even though you won." Baldwin referenced "5 errors, 2 penalties, 1 six again and a partridge in a pear tree" in the messages. A third message, which said that Baldwin hoped Schiller would "choke and die" on a "c**k", was so untasteful that magistrate Stephen Barlow refused to read it onto the record. Baldwin's defence solicitor argued that no conviction should be recorded, saying the outburst could be seen as a moment of "youthful impulse" and a "brain snap". Mr Williams said Baldwin, from Greta, was young, had no criminal record and was so remorseful that he would never send a message of that nature again. The court heard Baldwin had played rugby league, clearly "loved the game", worked as an apprentice, and was highly regarded in Upper Hunter communities. Mr Williams said Baldwin was willing to write Schiller a very sincere letter of apology if appropriate. But, the police prosecutor argued there was a need to deter others in the community from sending online threats to public figures. "They're professionals, they're doing a job, and it's not up to the public to decide whether they're doing a good job or not," the sergeant said. "It's easy to sit there and type away, but one has to think about the consequences." Mr Barlow said Baldwin had a strong subjective case but the content of the messages was somewhat alarming. He said if the threat had materialised, it would have had catastrophic consequences. "Rugby league players are tough people, it's one of the most brutal physical games around, but when one threatens to end your life it's a matter that obviously would make any person concerned about their welfare and their family's welfare," he said. The court heard Baldwin had attended the police station on June 13 when first requested and had cooperated with investigating officers. He was granted bail after he was charged, and it was his first time before the court on Wednesday. Schiller took to his own Instagram account's 'stories' after receiving the direct messages in June to expose the comments he had received, which were slammed at the time by his teammates and the National Rugby League boss. Schiller reported the messages to Lake Macquarie police the next day and detectives launched an investigation. AN ONLINE troll who sent a Knights player a death threat sought to avoid coming into the courthouse because he would have to face "intimidating and frightening" media cameras. Joseph Baldwin, 20, was flanked by his father and defence solicitor Robert Williams as he braved the three-strong press pack and ultimately entered Belmont Local Court in person for sentencing on Wednesday. Baldwin was convicted and fined $750 after pleading guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend Newcastle Knights winger James Schiller by sending him direct Instagram messages. "Count your days, c**t I will end your f***ing ife," Baldwin wrote from his personal account at 9.08pm on June 5 after the Knights played against Manly. "Doesn't make up for it even though you won." Baldwin referenced "5 errors, 2 penalties, 1 six again and a partridge in a pear tree" in the messages. A third message, which said that Baldwin hoped Schiller would "choke and die" on a "c**k", was so untasteful that magistrate Stephen Barlow refused to read it onto the record. Baldwin's defence solicitor argued that no conviction should be recorded, saying the outburst could be seen as a moment of "youthful impulse" and a "brain snap". Mr Williams said Baldwin, from Greta, was young, had no criminal record and was so remorseful that he would never send a message of that nature again. The court heard Baldwin had played rugby league, clearly "loved the game", worked as an apprentice, and was highly regarded in Upper Hunter communities. Mr Williams said Baldwin was willing to write Schiller a very sincere letter of apology if appropriate. But, the police prosecutor argued there was a need to deter others in the community from sending online threats to public figures. "They're professionals, they're doing a job, and it's not up to the public to decide whether they're doing a good job or not," the sergeant said. "It's easy to sit there and type away, but one has to think about the consequences." Mr Barlow said Baldwin had a strong subjective case but the content of the messages was somewhat alarming. He said if the threat had materialised, it would have had catastrophic consequences. "Rugby league players are tough people, it's one of the most brutal physical games around, but when one threatens to end your life it's a matter that obviously would make any person concerned about their welfare and their family's welfare," he said. The court heard Baldwin had attended the police station on June 13 when first requested and had cooperated with investigating officers. He was granted bail after he was charged, and it was his first time before the court on Wednesday. Schiller took to his own Instagram account's 'stories' after receiving the direct messages in June to expose the comments he had received, which were slammed at the time by his teammates and the National Rugby League boss. Schiller reported the messages to Lake Macquarie police the next day and detectives launched an investigation. AN ONLINE troll who sent a Knights player a death threat sought to avoid coming into the courthouse because he would have to face "intimidating and frightening" media cameras. Joseph Baldwin, 20, was flanked by his father and defence solicitor Robert Williams as he braved the three-strong press pack and ultimately entered Belmont Local Court in person for sentencing on Wednesday. Baldwin was convicted and fined $750 after pleading guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend Newcastle Knights winger James Schiller by sending him direct Instagram messages. "Count your days, c**t I will end your f***ing ife," Baldwin wrote from his personal account at 9.08pm on June 5 after the Knights played against Manly. "Doesn't make up for it even though you won." Baldwin referenced "5 errors, 2 penalties, 1 six again and a partridge in a pear tree" in the messages. A third message, which said that Baldwin hoped Schiller would "choke and die" on a "c**k", was so untasteful that magistrate Stephen Barlow refused to read it onto the record. Baldwin's defence solicitor argued that no conviction should be recorded, saying the outburst could be seen as a moment of "youthful impulse" and a "brain snap". Mr Williams said Baldwin, from Greta, was young, had no criminal record and was so remorseful that he would never send a message of that nature again. The court heard Baldwin had played rugby league, clearly "loved the game", worked as an apprentice, and was highly regarded in Upper Hunter communities. Mr Williams said Baldwin was willing to write Schiller a very sincere letter of apology if appropriate. But, the police prosecutor argued there was a need to deter others in the community from sending online threats to public figures. "They're professionals, they're doing a job, and it's not up to the public to decide whether they're doing a good job or not," the sergeant said. "It's easy to sit there and type away, but one has to think about the consequences." Mr Barlow said Baldwin had a strong subjective case but the content of the messages was somewhat alarming. He said if the threat had materialised, it would have had catastrophic consequences. "Rugby league players are tough people, it's one of the most brutal physical games around, but when one threatens to end your life it's a matter that obviously would make any person concerned about their welfare and their family's welfare," he said. The court heard Baldwin had attended the police station on June 13 when first requested and had cooperated with investigating officers. He was granted bail after he was charged, and it was his first time before the court on Wednesday. Schiller took to his own Instagram account's 'stories' after receiving the direct messages in June to expose the comments he had received, which were slammed at the time by his teammates and the National Rugby League boss. Schiller reported the messages to Lake Macquarie police the next day and detectives launched an investigation. AN ONLINE troll who sent a Knights player a death threat sought to avoid coming into the courthouse because he would have to face "intimidating and frightening" media cameras. Joseph Baldwin, 20, was flanked by his father and defence solicitor Robert Williams as he braved the three-strong press pack and ultimately entered Belmont Local Court in person for sentencing on Wednesday. Baldwin was convicted and fined $750 after pleading guilty to using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend Newcastle Knights winger James Schiller by sending him direct Instagram messages. "Count your days, c**t I will end your f***ing ife," Baldwin wrote from his personal account at 9.08pm on June 5 after the Knights played against Manly. "Doesn't make up for it even though you won." Baldwin referenced "5 errors, 2 penalties, 1 six again and a partridge in a pear tree" in the messages. A third message, which said that Baldwin hoped Schiller would "choke and die" on a "c**k", was so untasteful that magistrate Stephen Barlow refused to read it onto the record. Baldwin's defence solicitor argued that no conviction should be recorded, saying the outburst could be seen as a moment of "youthful impulse" and a "brain snap". Mr Williams said Baldwin, from Greta, was young, had no criminal record and was so remorseful that he would never send a message of that nature again. The court heard Baldwin had played rugby league, clearly "loved the game", worked as an apprentice, and was highly regarded in Upper Hunter communities. Mr Williams said Baldwin was willing to write Schiller a very sincere letter of apology if appropriate. But, the police prosecutor argued there was a need to deter others in the community from sending online threats to public figures. "They're professionals, they're doing a job, and it's not up to the public to decide whether they're doing a good job or not," the sergeant said. "It's easy to sit there and type away, but one has to think about the consequences." Mr Barlow said Baldwin had a strong subjective case but the content of the messages was somewhat alarming. He said if the threat had materialised, it would have had catastrophic consequences. "Rugby league players are tough people, it's one of the most brutal physical games around, but when one threatens to end your life it's a matter that obviously would make any person concerned about their welfare and their family's welfare," he said. The court heard Baldwin had attended the police station on June 13 when first requested and had cooperated with investigating officers. He was granted bail after he was charged, and it was his first time before the court on Wednesday. Schiller took to his own Instagram account's 'stories' after receiving the direct messages in June to expose the comments he had received, which were slammed at the time by his teammates and the National Rugby League boss. Schiller reported the messages to Lake Macquarie police the next day and detectives launched an investigation.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jillaroos hooker bounces back into club football
Jillaroos hooker Olivia Higgins could just be Newcastle's good luck charm. After missing round one of the NRLW season due to suspension from a tackle in a trial game, Higgins returned all revved up and ready to play. The Knights haven't lost since, winning their third straight match 30-6 against Parramatta in Sydney on Sunday. "The key for our past three wins (Cowboys, Warriors, Eels) has just been running with intent," Higgins said. "We've spoken a lot about being connected in defence as well." Watch all the highlights from Eels v Knights in Round 4 of the NRLW Premiership. — NRLW (@NRLWomens) July 27, 2025 It's been a fair recovery after falling to Canterbury in the expansion side's first-ever NRLW game in round one. "I think a lot of people wrote us off after that first game," Higgins said. "We knew what we could do based on our past seven weeks (pre-season). We just want to be consistent and each one of us doing our roles in our positions whether we have some superstars or not." Newcastle have lost some big names over the years – Millie Elliott (Roosters), Caitlan Johnston-Green (Sharks), Hannah Southwell (Dragons) and former Dally M medallist Tamika Upton (Broncos). But 32-year-old Higgins has become a star in her own right, making State of Origin and Test squads in 2024 after winning three NRLW premierships with the Roosters (2021) and Knights (2022, 2023). Getting back on the football field has been the best tonic for Higgins this July. She wore the No.9 for Australia in the Test against England in Las Vegas, and despite making the NSW squad under new coach John Strange, Higgins was on the extended bench for all three Origin games. The hooking duties went to Keeley Davis. "It was still the best experience though and I was excited for the team," Higgins said. She felt the itch of watching the NSW Blues Women win the series 2-1 against Queensland from the sidelines, and then sitting out the start of the 2025 NRLW season. "Sport's highs and lows I've definitely experienced," she said. "For me it's been a mixed year starting on a high in Vegas, then missing out on Origin but I'm just back having fun at the moment and really enjoying playing footy. "If I can do my job for the team that's all I'm focused on." With a tackle efficiency rate of over 95 per cent, Higgins is definitely doing that.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Done deal: Knights veteran handed one-year extension
People power has won over at Newcastle, with Dane Gagai handed a one-year extension to play on at the Knights in 2026. Off contract at the end of this year and now aged 34, Gagai's future had appeared uncertain as he entered the final months of 2025 unsigned. That prompted an online petition for the club to re-sign the former Queensland State of Origin star. The deal is now complete, leaving Tyson Frizell and Adam Elliott as the remaining two veterans unsigned at the Knights. "Everyone knows Dane brings experience and competitiveness to every contest, every day," Knights recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan said. DAWG 😤⚔️#defendthekingdom — Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) July 29, 2025 "He has worked really hard for his extension, his tenacity to never give up and willingness to play in any position, especially through extenuating circumstances, shows his true character. "This extension compliments and balances our squad perfectly for next season." Gagai's extension means his career will go into a 16th season, having played 309 games since his debut with Brisbane in 2011. The centre spent six seasons at Newcastle between 2012 and 2017, before returning to the club in 2022 after a four-year stint at South Sydney. Gagai has been one of the shining lights for the Knights in a side that has struggled to find form and consistency.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Letran reigns supreme in inaugural NCAA MLBB tournament
NCAA By BEA MICALLER,GMA Integrated News The Knights ruled the Land of Dawn. Colegio de San Juan de Letran overcame Jose Rizal University in the finals, 3-1, to clinch the title in the inaugural NCAA Season 100 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament on Sunday at the Philippine Game Development Expo (PGDX). The Knights completed an unlikely title run, surviving Mapua University in the lower bracket finals before turning back the Heavy Bombers in the best-of-five championship round. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
CBC
3 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Jousters show what it takes to compete in the medieval sport
Knights, thundering hooves and clashing lances. Jousters from around the world gathered to compete in the Pigeon Lake Medieval Madness tournament. Our Emily Fitzpatrick spoke with some enthusiasts of the historic sport.
