South Sydney winger Steve Mavin certainly felt sympathy for Jaxson Paulo after an error-riddled night against Penrith last week that led to an abundance of awful abuse and death threats on social media.
Many Rabbitohs fans will recall the day Mavin made three errors that led to three Canberra tries in a sudden-death semi-final in 1987.
Coach George Piggins hooked Mavin after 16 minutes, only for the then 19-year-old to spit the dummy and leave the Sydney Cricket Ground at half-time to drown his sorrows at the Cauliflower Hotel.
Social media did not exist back then, but Mavin told the Herald some narky fans still reminded him of his horrendous game, but it was not the end of his first-grade career, just as the other night would not spell the end for Paulo in the NRL.
“I feel for Jaxson because I’ve been in his shoes,” Mavin said. “We were playing at the SCG, Peter Jackson kicked me the ball and I dropped it at the start. He kicked it to me a couple of more times, I collided with David Cruickshank and they scored again, then I had a ball bounce off my legs to Chris O’Sullivan and the Raiders scored a third try.
“Coach Piggins replaced me. We were only 16 minutes into the game. He put Mark Ross on in my place.
Steve Mavin can relate to Jaxson Paulo’s tough day in the office.Credit:Getty/Fairfax Media
“Being a 19-year-old bloke, I spat the dummy and left the ground. I was playing with the Alexandria Rovers at the time, and our local was the Cauliflower Hotel. I called in there for a beer, and one of the boys said, ‘What are you doing here, the game is still on’.
“There was no social media back then when those disgusting trolls could say what they want to say.
“You understand supporters get disappointed. I helped Souths get eliminated that year. There’s certainly no place for people bagging him. I still get the occasional smart-arse saying something to me. If it makes them feel better, go ahead.
“I have the benefit of having an extra 30 years behind me, but it’s still fresh for Jaxson.”
Jaxson Paulo was interviewed by the NRL Integrity Unit on Friday about the stunning abuse he received on social media.Credit:NRL Photos
Mavin went on to spend several more seasons in the top flight, including the 1989 minor premiership year for the Bunnies. He played Canberra again and did a handy job stopping Mal Meninga.
“Jaxson should know it won’t be the end of the world,” said Mavin, who was at Redfern on Monday where he now helps run the Rabbitohs Fan TV.
“He’s played 40-odd NRL games and nearly scored in every second game. He’s a good footballer with a lot of good footy ahead of him.”
Paulo bombed two tries and dropped the ball twice, including a Sean O’Sullivan kick in the final two minutes that ultimately led to Liam Martin scoring the match-winner for the Panthers.
The Herald revealed on Friday Paulo had been subjected to online death threats, and Souths were prepared to support him involving police to hunt down the culprits.
Souths superstar Cody Walker said of the Paulo attacks: “It’s disgusting. It’s just terrible someone feels the need to say those things. At the end of the day, he’s human. We all make mistakes. There’s not one person in the world that is perfect and doesn’t make some sort of mistake.”
