Leaked emails reveal Manly Sea Eagles football department knew about pride jersey

Leaked emails have revealed the Manly Sea Eagles football department was aware of the controversial rainbow pride jersey.

Manly Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.

Leaked emails have revealed that members of the Manly Sea Eagles football department were aware of the controversial rainbow pride jersey several months before it derailed the club’s season.

The Sea Eagles were still in finals contention in Round 20 when the season imploded on the back of the pride jersey debacle, which saw seven players withdraw from the match and reportedly create friction in the sheds.

The club lost their last seven games to finish the season in 11th, likely five wins out of finals contention.

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Although the club also had injuries to key players including superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic, the jersey drama was clearly the turning point as the club fell sharply away at the end of the season.

And since the season wound down, reports have emerged of unrest in the playing group, including division between captain Daly Cherry-Evans and the Trbojevic brothers.

Last week, it was reported that Manly coach Des Hasler was considering a $1 million lawsuit against the club over its decision to implement the pride jersey without consulting with the football department.

Sea Eagles coach, Des Hasler. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

According to the report, Hasler considers his inability to fulfil contractual obligations was directly related to the pride jersey decision from club hierarchy.

On Monday evening, The Daily Telegraph released leaked emails that appeared to show Sea Eagles commercial boss Luke Tucker and Manly’s general manager of football John Bonasera were aware of the jersey design in May.

Tucker wrote in an email: “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.”

Bonasera responded: “Don’t see an issue at all mate.”

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

The Daily Telegraph reports Bonasera did not pass the information on to Hasler, with the general manager of football later apologising to the veteran coach over the communication breakdown.

Sea Eagles players react at full time during the round 25 NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Manly Sea Eagles at Accor Stadium.

The horror end to Manly’s season has put the spotlight firmly on coach Hasler with speculation over his future after the Sea Eagles refused to give the two-time premiership winning mentor an extension.

Cherry-Evans didn’t comment on the situation itself, but threw his full support behind the embattled coach.

“I always stay in contact with Des,” Cherry-Evans said.

“We have a great relationship as coach and captain at Manly. That is why I always endorse him — because we do have such a good relationship.

“It is not for me to get in the way of the club and his relationship. They obviously have business to sort out and I am sure they will get it done by the time we get back for pre-season.”