A former Australian Olympian has found herself at the centre of a disturbing online storm after a playful social media post about cricket enraged a section of England supporters, who retaliated with deeply offensive comments.
A Light-Hearted Joke Takes a Dark Turn
Georgie Parker, an ex-Hockeyroo, Olympian, and AFLW star turned media personality, made what she intended as a humorous post on December 4, 2025, as the second Ashes Test heated up in Brisbane. The self-described 'cricket tragic' wrote on X (formerly Twitter) about being grateful her great-great-grandfather was sent to Australia, quipping it meant she didn't have to support England or 'pretend to like Bazball'.
However, the jest quickly escalated into something far uglier. A number of English cricket fans responded with a barrage of vile messages, suggesting her ancestor was guilty of crimes far worse than the bread theft she referenced.
Vile Accusations and a Horrified Response
The online trolls emerged with shocking claims, with one user stating, 'He probably did something a lot worse than steal a load of bread.' Others directly accused her relative of being a 'rapist or murderer'. Parker was visibly horrified by the responses, replying with comments like 'JFC what is wrong with you people' and 'Jesus Christ. You need some help'.
In an attempt to defuse the situation, she clarified that her post was entirely a joke and that her family were not actually descended from convicts, writing: 'Not actually a convict, if I'm being honest. Was just making a bit of a joke.' Even this qualification was met with further criticism from a humourless supporter who derided Australian humour.
A Stark Contrast on Different Platforms
The reaction was markedly different on Instagram, where Parker posted the same message. Her followers there understood the light-hearted intent and joined in the fun, with comments praising the fictional 'Gramps' for taking one for the team. This stark divide highlighted how the same content can be received in wildly different ways across social media platforms.
This is not the first time Georgie Parker has courted controversy with cricket fans. In January, she sparked a separate backlash after posting on X that many of the late Shane Warne's 708 Test wickets were 'pies', while praising spinner Alana King's Ashes form. That post led to accusations of disrespect towards the legendary bowler's legacy, despite King citing Warne as her inspiration.
