‘I apologise’: Key email leaked in Sea Eagles’ $1 million drama

Manly coach Des Hasler was sacked earlier in the week, but a key email exchange that could work in his favour has been revealed.

Des Hasler and Tom Trbojevic.

Des Hasler could launch legal action against the Sea Eagles after his sacking earlier in the week and now a key email exchange that could work in his favour has been revealed.

While Hasler’s exit from Manly may now be confirmed, the drama is far from over.

The is negotiating his payout with the former Sea Eagles coach reportedly looking for as much as $1 million.

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Hasler already had a termination clause that entitled him to an agreed payout of $450,000 but central to the potential legal battle is his lost earnings for 2024.

Hasler would have triggered the 2024 option in his deal with Manly should he have guided the team to a top-six finish this year.

That of course did not happen, although Hasler will argue he was not given a fair chance to do that given the destabilising rainbow jersey saga, which he denied prior knowledge of.

Screenshots of an alleged email exchange on May 24 discussing the jersey between Manly’s general manager of football John Bonasera and commercial boss Luke Tucker were leaked last week.

The alleged exchange was reportedly not forwarded nor raised with Hasler.

Now another alleged email, this time from Bonasera to Hasler on July 26 after the jersey’s release, has been revealed by The Sydney Morning Herald.

In it, Bonasera apologised to Hasler, with the email set to be used as evidence as the two parties look to settle on a payout.

Former Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler.

“It was always painted as ‘Everyone in League’ to me. I genuinely don’t even remember this email,” Bonasera opened in the alleged email.

“I should have engaged other people in the conversation from football before letting it go to production. We have worn several other one-off jerseys in recent weeks. I missed this as significant.

“I knew I would miss something one day [in fact I told you that I would] as I have been putting one foot in front of the other for quite a while – not thinking just doing and it’s my job to think and mitigate circumstances such as this in advance.

“I apologise for putting us in this position and understand the potential ramifications. Thanks for always supporting me.”

Bennett’s Manly comment rings alarm bells

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has revealed he “could possibly look” at signing Tom and Jake Trbojevic.

The brothers, who are big supporters of sacked coach Des Hasler, are signed to Manly until the end of 2026 but recent comments made by their manager will keep the club on high alert.

Star fullback Tom Trbojevic called an emergency meeting with his manager in the wake of the decision, while the former coach’s staff are also in the firing line.

Paul Sutton told News Corp that the brothers were “unhappy” and concerned that their beloved club was “imploding.”

Trbojevic then called an emergency meeting with Sutton to discuss his future. The outcome of that meeting is that the club’s situation is too delicate for the 26-year-old to make an immediate call and he will continue on with the Sea Eagles.

But no doubt several rivals are keeping a close eye on the fallout from Hasler’s sacking — particularly Bennett, who still has plenty of cash to spend for next season.

Bennett told The Sydney Morning Herald that it’s a possibility he may consider.

“We’re interested in any player who is coming off contract or is available to negotiate,” he said.

“We all know the standing of those two players in the game. It’s something we could possibly have a look at.”

Tom Trbojevic of the Sea Eagles. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

But Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov indicated that the club would not entertain a release request — if it even gets that far.

“They are an integral part of the future of the club,” Mestrov told the Herald.

“They are contracted to the end of 2026, simple as that. I’ve spoken to them quite a number of times, both brothers, they are a big part of the club’s future.

“We will discuss things with them regarding the future of the club. They are here until the end of 2026 as far as the club is concerned.”

In a dramatic twist, News Corp reported that Manly were actually willing to offload the brothers and that they had been offered to a rival Sydney club.

But Mestrov shot down those claims

“I don’t know where those suggestions are coming from because they aren’t coming from the club,” he told News Corp.

“I’ve spoken to Tom and Jake numerous times, including on Thursday.

“They are the future of the club. It is simple. They are Manly through and through and as far as we’re concerned they will be here until at least the end of 2026.

“There is no doubt they are a little disappointed with what has gone on in the past few months. But they love the club and they won’t be going anywhere.”

Originally published as ‘I apologise’: Key email leaked in Sea Eagles’ $1 million drama