From congratulations to cruel comments: A personal moment for Billy Brownless targeted by social media trolls
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It’s a tale as old as the internet: you share a happy moment online, only to have it soured by a handful of keyboard warriors.
This week, beloved AFL personality Billy Brownless found himself in the crosshairs of social media trolls after celebrating a milestone with his partner, Crystle Fleur.
But beyond the headlines and the snarky comments, there’s a bigger conversation to be had about sharing our lives online—and how we can support each other in the face of negativity.
A Love Story in the Spotlight
Billy Brownless, a Geelong Cats legend with 198 games under his belt and a reputation as one of footy’s most affable characters, has been enjoying a new chapter in his personal life.
He and Crystle Fleur, a mum of three, recently marked their first anniversary together—a milestone worth celebrating at any age.
Crystle, 52, took to social media to share her joy, posting: 'Happy 1st anniversary to this amazing man! 365 days of love, laughter and amazing adventures as we fly off to start the biggest one yet.'
The post was met with a flood of well-wishes from friends and fans alike, including former AFL player Dale Thomas, who chimed in with a simple, 'Congrats guys.'
When Good News Attracts Bad Behaviour
Unfortunately, as is all too common these days, the positive vibes didn’t last long. A handful of trolls quickly jumped in with snide remarks, questioning the couple’s happiness and making jabs about money, appearances, and even referencing Billy’s well-publicised past with former friend Garry Lyon.
Comments ranged from the tired old 'Money can buy you happiness' to the cheeky 'Punching above your weight there big man.'
Some even dragged up the infamous love triangle involving Billy’s ex-wife Nicky and Garry Lyon, proving that some people just can’t let bygones be bygones.
Support Shines Through
But for every troll, there were plenty of supporters ready to drown out the negativity. One commenter summed it up perfectly: 'I can’t believe some of the comments on this! People are gross, and likely just jealous of you guys (or unhappy in their own s***** lives). You both look very happy. Congrats on 1 year, & many more to come!'
Also read: AFL legend Garry Lyon reveals battle with serious health issues, sparking community awareness
A Complicated Past, A Hopeful Future
For those unfamiliar with the backstory, Billy’s personal life has played out in the public eye for years. After 18 years of marriage, he and Nicky Brownless split in 2014.
The situation became tabloid fodder when Nicky began a relationship with Billy’s then-best mate, Garry Lyon, in 2016. The fallout was messy, with Billy famously saying, 'A good mate wouldn’t do that.'
'I couldn’t believe it. I found out three or four months ago. I asked Garry and Nicky earlier on what is going on and they said they were just good friends,” he said on the Footy Show at the time.' he shared on the Footy Show. 'That’s what hurt the most.'
Also read: Billy Joel lost everything, ended up in a coma...but found the one thing that saved him
But time, as they say, heals all wounds. In recent years, Billy and Garry have managed to patch things up, even spending Christmases together as an extended family.
Nicky and Garry’s relationship has gone from strength to strength, with Garry proposing in December 2023 and the couple jetting off to New York to celebrate.
And to Billy and Crystle—congratulations on your anniversary! Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and adventures (both online and off).
In case you missed it: Footy great celebrates daughter's wedding with emotional moments
Have you ever shared a happy moment online, only to be met with negativity? Or perhaps you’ve found unexpected support from your online community? We’d love to hear your stories—good, bad, or somewhere in between!
This week, beloved AFL personality Billy Brownless found himself in the crosshairs of social media trolls after celebrating a milestone with his partner, Crystle Fleur.
But beyond the headlines and the snarky comments, there’s a bigger conversation to be had about sharing our lives online—and how we can support each other in the face of negativity.
A Love Story in the Spotlight
Billy Brownless, a Geelong Cats legend with 198 games under his belt and a reputation as one of footy’s most affable characters, has been enjoying a new chapter in his personal life.
He and Crystle Fleur, a mum of three, recently marked their first anniversary together—a milestone worth celebrating at any age.
Crystle, 52, took to social media to share her joy, posting: 'Happy 1st anniversary to this amazing man! 365 days of love, laughter and amazing adventures as we fly off to start the biggest one yet.'
The post was met with a flood of well-wishes from friends and fans alike, including former AFL player Dale Thomas, who chimed in with a simple, 'Congrats guys.'
Billy Brownless copped a wave of social media trolling after celebrating his one-year anniversary with partner Crystle Fleur, with some commenters making derogatory remarks about the couple. Image source: @crystlef / Instagram.
When Good News Attracts Bad Behaviour
Unfortunately, as is all too common these days, the positive vibes didn’t last long. A handful of trolls quickly jumped in with snide remarks, questioning the couple’s happiness and making jabs about money, appearances, and even referencing Billy’s well-publicised past with former friend Garry Lyon.
Comments ranged from the tired old 'Money can buy you happiness' to the cheeky 'Punching above your weight there big man.'
Some even dragged up the infamous love triangle involving Billy’s ex-wife Nicky and Garry Lyon, proving that some people just can’t let bygones be bygones.
Support Shines Through
But for every troll, there were plenty of supporters ready to drown out the negativity. One commenter summed it up perfectly: 'I can’t believe some of the comments on this! People are gross, and likely just jealous of you guys (or unhappy in their own s***** lives). You both look very happy. Congrats on 1 year, & many more to come!'
Also read: AFL legend Garry Lyon reveals battle with serious health issues, sparking community awareness
A Complicated Past, A Hopeful Future
For those unfamiliar with the backstory, Billy’s personal life has played out in the public eye for years. After 18 years of marriage, he and Nicky Brownless split in 2014.
The situation became tabloid fodder when Nicky began a relationship with Billy’s then-best mate, Garry Lyon, in 2016. The fallout was messy, with Billy famously saying, 'A good mate wouldn’t do that.'
'I couldn’t believe it. I found out three or four months ago. I asked Garry and Nicky earlier on what is going on and they said they were just good friends,” he said on the Footy Show at the time.' he shared on the Footy Show. 'That’s what hurt the most.'
Also read: Billy Joel lost everything, ended up in a coma...but found the one thing that saved him
But time, as they say, heals all wounds. In recent years, Billy and Garry have managed to patch things up, even spending Christmases together as an extended family.
Nicky and Garry’s relationship has gone from strength to strength, with Garry proposing in December 2023 and the couple jetting off to New York to celebrate.
And to Billy and Crystle—congratulations on your anniversary! Here’s to many more years of love, laughter, and adventures (both online and off).
In case you missed it: Footy great celebrates daughter's wedding with emotional moments
Have you ever shared a happy moment online, only to be met with negativity? Or perhaps you’ve found unexpected support from your online community? We’d love to hear your stories—good, bad, or somewhere in between!
