The Manly Sea Eagles footballers who derailed the club’s season by boycotting the pride jersey have finally broken their silence on the controversy, claiming they have no regrets.
Manly’s season was thrown into disarray after seven players chose to stand down from the Round 20 match against the Sydney Roosters because they opposed the rainbow colours on the pride jersey on religious and cultural grounds.
The Sea Eagles ended their 2022 campaign with seven consecutive losses, missing out on finals and sparking rumours of discontent within the Manly camp.
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After months of negotiations, legal threats and chaos, the Sea Eagles recently confirmed two-time premiership winning coach Des Hasler’s employment had been terminated immediately with a year to run on his contract.
And now there are rumours the Trbojevic brothers will leave Manly following reports the trio are unsettled at the club.
The Manly boycotters have finally spoken out about the ordeal, with Sea Eagles forward Haumole Olakau’atu, who is currently representing Tonga in the Rugby League World Cup, asserting he has no regrets.
“It was really difficult,” Olakau’atu said, as reported by The Daily Telegraph.
“I don’t know what else to say. I hope everyone just respects our decision and moves on. My faith comes first before anything. It is who I am.
“I called my parents after finding out about the jersey that night and they said just to follow my heart. It made it 10 times easier, especially growing up in a religious family.”
Manly young gun Toluta’u Koula, also currently in England for the World Cup, revealed he has been targeted on social media since the pride jersey saga exploded in July.
“There was some hate out there but I tried not to pay too much attention to it,” Koula told the News Corp publication.
“During that period I tried to stay off social media as much as I could. It was pretty tough not winning too many games at the back end of the season. I think the main thing for us boys was trying to stay closer to each other.
“It was a rollercoaster of a season to say the least.”
Koula also thanked Hasler for supporting himself and his teammates throughout the ordeal.
“Des backing us boys in our decision was pretty special, just to know that he had our backs, that’s another reason why it’s so sad to see him go,” the fullback said.
“He’s so loyal to us.
“Dessie will do anything for us boys and I’m sure all the boys will do anything for him too.
“What happened happened, and I’m sure us as a seven will probably speak about it together. But at the moment the focus is on here with Tonga.”
Speaking to 9News, Manly forward Josh Schuster explained that his faith would always be his top priority.
“It was a difficult period, but I put my faith and personal beliefs first,” he said.
“Like I said before, my personal beliefs and faith come first.”
Meanwhile, Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans has broken his silence on Hasler’s sacking while on duty with the Kangaroos at the Rugby League World Cup in England.
The 33-year-old halfback revealed he knew the situation was going to get very messy given the horrendous end to Manly’s 2022 season.
“As it was developing it was looking like it was going to end badly,” Cherry-Evans said.
“So it is disappointing to see Des go, I have a great relationship with him. I definitely sent him some well wishes. He has had a big impact on my footy career.
“I am sure Des is someone I will stay in contact with for a long time. He is a good fella.”
Cherry-Evans said “Manly will always be Manly” when pressed on how club officials had treated Hasler.
“Whether it is right or wrong how they do it, it has always been like that as long as I have been at the club,” he said.
The playmaker said he was yet to speak to Kangaroos and Manly teammate Jake Trbojevic about the Hasler sacking.
“I haven’t spoken to Jake about it,” Cherry-Evans said.
“Jake is not someone who really likes to open up on these sorts of things. It would be silly for me to comment on what he is feeling.
“I know how passionate he is about the club. Anyone who is passionate about the club, obviously it has been a hard week because we care about the place and we just want to see it do well.
“So I am sure Jake will come out and clear up his future one way or the other when the time is right for him.
“I value Jake as a teammate, I love Jake in the team and I can’t imagine not playing footy with him.
“I hope if there is any animosity it is cleared. I dare say with Jake he is just happy to tear in with a new coaching staff next year.”
