‘This is how it’s done’: Jesinta Franklin weighs in on Manly’s pride jersey controversy

Seven of the Sea Eagles’ players are refusing to wear a shirt with rainbow stripes and trim during Thursday’s match against the Sydney Roosters.

Jesinta Franklin has made her views clear about Manly’s pride jersey row in a pointed Instagram post.

Seven Sea Eagles players are refusing to wear a shirt with rainbow stripes and trim during Thursday’s match against the Sydney Roosters.

And the wife of AFL star Buddy Franklin has now weighed in on the controversy.

She shared a post by media personality Mia Freedman, which showed Buddy in a Sydney Swans pride jersey.

Lance Franklin and Jesinta Franklin. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)

Jesinta Franklin made a veiled comment about the Manly pride jersey saga. Picture: Instagram

“This is how it’s done,” the post reads.

A slogan above Buddy’s head says: “Everyone is welcome at the footy.”

Josh Aloiai, Jason Saab, Christian Tuipulotu, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu, Tolu Koula and Toafofoa Sipley are refusing to play because they say the rainbow kit is against their religious and cultural beliefs.

Earlier on Wednesday, NRLW player Karine Brown voiced her anger at the players boycotting the game over the jersey.

Brown, who went viral in 2018 after kissing her then girlfriend Vanessa Foliaki after a State of Origin match, was left “frustrated” by the players’ stance.

Manly's Sean Keppie, Kieran Foran and Reuben Garrick in the Sea Eagle's Pride jersey. Pic: Manly Digital

“It did trigger me, if I’m honest. I felt enraged and frustrated and then I decided to dig a bit deeper and find out the whole story … when I dug deeper I realised it’s not even a pride jersey which makes it even worse,” she told the ‘On Her Game’ podcast.

“This jersey is for everyone in league … whether you love someone of the same sex or whether you love Jesus Christ it says there’s a place for you in rugby league.

“To get upset about a jersey with a few extra colours, on the piping … I was astounded that was a stance that some players have taken.

“It’s just constantly frustrating.

“Because yes we are becoming more of a woke society.

“And the next generation they’ve got more of an open mind and open hearts.

“People are realising that discrimination is so hurtful in society and we’re trying to do something about it.

“It’s frustrating it still exists.’’