Manly fans show pride in their club

Jasper Bruce | July 28, 2022

Controversy around seven players’ decision to sit out an NRL match rather than wear an inclusion-themed jersey did nothing to deter the Manly faithful from turning out at 4 Pines Park on Thursday night.

With their finals hopes in the balance, the Sea Eagles chose to persist with donning the strip, which replaces Manly’s traditional white hoops with the rainbow pattern the LGBTQIA+ community has made its own.

The preamble to the game was indistinguishable from any other Thursday night match in Brookvale, the Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters warming up and broadcast crews capturing the scene.

But the differences were to be seen in the crowd, where passionate Manly fans showed their pride.

Manly’s Seabirds cheerleaders mingled with fans on entry wearing rainbow patterns in their outfits, while some punters took their seats, rainbow flags and signs in hand. 

Long-time Sea Eagles fan Mark said the week of headlines motivated him to go out and buy the inclusion-themed jersey, which sold out online while jerseys on sale at the ground also sold out quickly.

“Dessie (coach Des Hasler) and DCE (captain Daly Cherry-Evans) at the press conference, they handled it really well and I thought I should show some support for them,” he said.

“We’re all in this stadium together, we share it together and we breathe the same air.

“Do we want to go backwards or do we want to take the opportunity to look forwards?”

Manly fans Ava, Emilia and Jade said the result of Thursday night’s game mattered less than the club’s decision to persist with wearing the first-of-its-kind pride strip.

“I wanted to get the Pride jersey,” Ava said.

“We support the cause. I was pretty chuffed to hear we were the first to do it. Now’s the time.”