Manly Sea Eagles pride jersey saga takes new twist as leaked email reveal who knew about the plan

Explosive emails reveal who knew about Manly’s doomed pride jersey rollout, with the letters set to have major ramifications for coach Des Hasler. SEE THE EMAILS

Des Hasler.

Des Hasler’s threat to take legal action against Manly over the pride jersey fiasco has taken a new turn as an explosive leaked email indicated his own football department signed off on the rainbow jersey months before the controversy tore apart the NRL team.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained copies of emails between Sea Eagles commercial boss Luke Tucker and Manly’s general manager of football John Bonasera from May 24 this year in which the jersey was approved – two months before seven players boycotted the game against the Roosters.

It can now be revealed Bonasera did not pass on the information to Hasler.

In an email on a Tuesday afternoon at 4.46pm, Tucker wrote: “I just want to double check before production commences that we won’t have any issues with any players wearing these jerseys for this one-off game.”

An attachment also showed the design of the jersey.

Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans and coach Des Hasler addressing the media around the pride jersey debacle in July. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

In response, at 5.52pm, Bonasera wrote: “Don’t see an issue at all mate.”

Tucker went on to clearly explain in the email the club’s motivation for producing the jersey.

“It’s for everyone. Male, female, gay, straight, black, white, etc, etc. It’s certainly not just focused on LGBTQ.” he wrote.

It is unusual in that Bonasera has a tight relationship with Hasler and has rarely made a decision, or signed off on anything, without the consent of a coach who is a renowned micro manager.

Bonasera did not return calls to The Daily Telegraph on Monday night.

Sources say he has since apologised to Hasler for keeping him out of the loop.

The Manly Sea Eagles board had earlier approved the jersey on the proviso the football department was supportive.

Hasler’s relationship with the club has deteriorated to such an extent that he is not expected to see out the week, with Anthony Seibold expected to take over.

Leaked email.

Leaked email.

When the controversy first erupted and seven players withdrew from the game against the Roosters, Hasler spoke at a press conference and took aim at the Sea Eagles board and senior management.

He claimed: “None of the coaching staff nor the players had prior knowledge to the jersey.

“I feel for these players. They were not included in any of the discussions of the decision making of the jersey, at a minimum they should have been consulted.

“There are always going to be subsets of society who have cultural and religious views and they must always be considered. Ultimately this comes down to discussion and collaboration.”

It turns out the breakdown in communications came from his own department, not the board or senior management.

The controversy destroyed Manly’s season, the team losing its last seven games.

A major split between the seven players and the rest of the team tore the club apart at a time when their finals hopes were on the line.

Hasler has been threatening to take legal action against the club for allegedly compromising his ability to fulfil his contractual obligations.

He needed a top-six finish in the NRL in 2022 to get a contract extension for the 2024 season.

Manly Sea Eagles football manager John Bonasera.

The Daily Telegraph revealed last week that Hasler was prepared to argue that the jersey was launched without the blessing of the players or the football department, which impeded his ability to achieve his contract key performance indicators.

Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

He had not started in the role when the emails were exchanged.

However, an insider has revealed Manly is more than prepared for a courtroom showdown with Hasler.

“The truth will come out when all those involved are put under oath,” he said.